(WWJ) The public was asked to a avoid the area on Monday, where a seaplane tipped on its side near Apple Island on Oakland County's Orchard Lake.
Oakland County Sheriff's Office said its Search and Rescue Team, along with the West Bloomfield Township Fire Department were called out to the lake just after 1 p.m. on November 2.
Officials learned that the aircraft was attempting to take off from Orchard Lake when the pilot aborted the maneuver. While the aircraft was stationary in the water, it began tipping toward the passenger side, and was partially submerged,
The two people who were aboard the aircraft were safely evacuated, taken to shore and were not injured, according to the Orchard Lake Police Department.
Officials said the two people aboard -- the pilot, a 26-year-old Auburn Hills man, and his passenger, a 75-year-old Ann Arbor man -- flew in from Pontiac Airport, and were looking at some properties in the area.
WWJ's Jon Hewett reported the plane ended up nose down, taking on water in a spot on the lake that is around 20 feet deep. "A person on a bass boat, we're told, was able to actually help them. So, no injuries; that's the fortunate thing."
Later in the afternoon, the OCSO Marine Division worked to successfully stabilize the aircraft.
Police urged the public to stay away from the Orchard Lake Boat Launch into the afternoon, but said there was no threat to public safety.
Crews remained on scene for several hours for the investigation, while the crash site was being monitored for potential environmental impacts.
"What they're interested in most now is making sure that there's no fuel leakage, or any issues environmentally," Hewett said.
The Oakland County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue Team (SSRT) was activated and ultimately coordinated efforts to safely recover the aircraft from the water.
“Thankfully, for a variety of reasons and assistance from a good Samaritan, what could’ve been a tragic event ended without the loss of life” Sheriff Mike Bouchard said. “I am also proud of our search and rescue team that continues to show its capability in difficult situations, including recovering an aircraft.”
The OCSO said the cause of the incident remains under investigation.
The scene was being monitored for potential environmental impacts
The scene was being monitored for potential environmental impacts
