Plane Crash Reported on Mille Lacs Lake in Minnesota
MILLE LACS COUNTY, Minn. (FOX 9) – A plane crash occurred on Friday on Mille Lacs Lake, approximately two miles east of Shah-Bush-Kung Bay Public Water Access in Kathio Township.
The Mille Lacs County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call from the pilot of another floatplane around 2 p.m., reporting that they had witnessed the crash.
Preliminary information from the police reveals that two planes departed from the Anoka County Municipal Airport at around 1 p.m. The intention was for both aircraft to make a brief water landing on Mille Lacs Lake before continuing their journey to Aitkin County.
One of the planes successfully executed the landing, but the other crashed into the lake and is currently submerged in approximately 26 feet of water, according to authorities. The lone pilot of the crashed plane is believed to still be inside.
The scene of the crash remains active, with the Mille Lacs County Sheriff’s Office receiving assistance from various agencies, including the Mille Lacs Tribal Police Department, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Enforcement Division, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Park Ranger Division, Aitkin County Sheriff’s Office, and the Morrison County Sheriff’s Office.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have been notified and are currently conducting an investigation into the crash, specifically focusing on the Icon A5 aircraft involved.
This is an ongoing situation, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.