A 13-year-old rodeo pageant queen from Idaho was killed and her family seriously injured when their small plane crashed in Wyoming on Labor Day, authorities said.
The teen, Amelia Palmer, was found dead after the four-seat Piper PA-28 jet went down in the Bighorn National Forest just moments after taking off on Monday afternoon.
Her parents, Earl Palmer, 54, and Cindy Palmer, 53, and her 11-year-old brother, Aeron Palmer, were all airlifted to nearby hospitals in serious conditions.
Amelia Palmer, 13, was found dead after her family’s small plane crashed in Wyoming on Labor Day. Miss Rodeo Idaho / FacebookThe girl’s father will already “need major reconstructive surgeries,” according to a GoFundMe page set up for the family.
The extent of her mom and brother’s injuries wasn’t immediately known.
The Palmers are believed to have three other sons who weren’t on the plane at the time.
Amelia, meanwhile, had only recently been crowned the Treasure Valley Rodeo Mini Queen and second runner-up in the 2026 Miss Junior Rodeo Idaho, the Miss Rodeo Idaho organization said in a tribute post.
Her parents, Earl Palmer, 54, and Cindy Palmer, 53, and her 11-year-old brother, Aeron Palmer, were all injured in the wreck. GoFundMe“Amelia, you were pure sunshine and brought joy to everyone you met,” the organization said in a statement.
“Our rodeo family won’t be the same without you, and our hearts are truly broken today.”
Amelia’s bio on the local Treasure Valley Rodeo website noted she loved the outdoors and her horse, Dally.
“When she’s not horseback riding in the arena, barrel racing, or participating in 4-H with Boots & Bullets, you can find her at her Great Uncle Mark Blackburn’s cattle ranch in Jamison, Oregon, or attending Working Ranch Horse 4-H clinics,” the bio stated.
“Amelia also enjoys playing the cello, paddle boarding, and boating at the lake. She loves spending time outdoors, and on a relaxing day, you might find her listening to a good book and drawing.”
The National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration are still probing the cause of Monday’s crash, the sheriff’s office said.
“The coordinated effort between all of the rescuers, EMS, medical teams, and aircraft personnel was exceptional,” Sheridan County Sheriff Levi Dominguez said of the rescue efforts.
“This was, and still is, a very fluid scene. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims’ and their family.”
