Three Rescued After Small Plane Crashes Into Lake Michigan Near Wind Point

WIND POINT, WISCONSIN – A small plane crashed into Lake Michigan Thursday afternoon near Racine County, but all three people on board were rescued safely after texting first responders for help.

Crash and Rescue

The Cirrus SR22 aircraft departed Milwaukee’s Mitchell International Airport at 12:17 p.m. on a flight to Michigan. About 20 minutes later, at 12:37 p.m., the plane went down approximately 14 miles east of Wind Point.

“The survivors were able to use their cellphone to text first responders in Milwaukee, who then relayed their position to responding Coast Guard units,” said Chief Donald Hamilton, officer-in-charge of Coast Guard Station Milwaukee.

The U.S. Coast Guard launched a rescue boat and requested helicopter support from Air Station Traverse City, Michigan.

Passengers Safe Thanks to Life Jackets

All three passengers were wearing life jackets and floated in the water for about 40 minutes before being picked up.

“I think this really illustrates life jackets do save lives,” said Coast Guard Lt. Joe Neff. “We’re very fortunate that they were all three safe from the plane crash, but then were able to have life jackets to float there until we got on scene.”

The passengers were taken to the Coast Guard station in Milwaukee for medical evaluation and walked off the rescue boat without reported injuries.

Aircraft Recovery and Cause

The single-engine propeller plane remains submerged in Lake Michigan but is not considered a navigational hazard, according to the Coast Guard.

Investigators have not yet determined what caused the plane to go down.

The dramatic rescue underscores the importance of safety equipment when flying or boating over Lake Michigan. For updates on this and other breaking local news, follow ChicagoMusicGuide.com.