SPRINGDALE TOWNSHIP — A small plane crashed in Manistee County on Sunday morning after an apparent engine failure, according to the Manistee County Sheriff’s Office.
Per a Sept. 8 news release, deputies responded at 9:39 a.m. Sept. 7 to the 18000 block of Tomasek Road in Springdale Township after receiving a report of a crash, the Manistee County Sheriff’s Office said.
Initial reports indicated the pilot and passenger had exited the plane following the incident.
Fire crews from Cleon Township confirmed a single-engine aircraft was wedged in a tree and leaking fuel. The plane did not catch fire. Hazardous materials personnel from Grand Traverse Metro Fire also responded.
A 49-year-old Beulah woman, who was a passenger, was evaluated at the scene by EMS for leg pain and possible loss of consciousness but was not taken to the hospital.
The pilot, a 53-year-old Beulah man, was uninjured and told investigators the aircraft experienced an electrical issue that caused the engine to fail shortly after taking off from the Thompsonville airport en route to Silver Lake. He was attempting to land in a nearby field when the plane went down.
Deputies said drugs and alcohol are not believed to be factors.
The sheriff’s office was assisted by Cleon Township Fire, Grand Traverse Metro Fire, MMR EMS, Thompsonville EMS, Manistee County Emergency Management and Manistee County Central Dispatch.