Authorities: 4 SE Michigan residents survive small plane crash near Frankenmuth airport

5/21/2012

FRANKENMUTH, Mich. — Authorities say four southeastern Michigan residents aboard a small plane that went down near the Frankenmuth airport got out of the aircraft and were able to walk away from the crash.

MLive.com reports the single-engine plane crashed shortly after takeoff Sunday evening into a field near William “Tiny” Zehnder Field, about 75 miles northwest of Detroit. The Frankenmuth fire department says two passengers were taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The pilot and other passenger sought their own treatment.

Police say the pilot is a 25-year-old Livonia resident. The passengers were identified as two Livonia men, ages 56 and 57, and a 26-year-old Royal Oak woman.

The fire department says the pilot reported that the plane lost power. Frankenmuth police and the Federal Aviation Administration are investigating.