Plane Vanishes After Solo Pilot Takes Off From Michigan Airport
The 82-year-old often flies on Sunday mornings, but his family became concerned when he didn't return home as usual
An elderly man piloting a small plane vanished after taking off from a Michigan airport four days ago, and authorities are now on the hunt for the aircraft and the man inside.
Richard Martin, 82, was flying the plane, which left Dowagiac Municipal Airport on Sunday morning, local police said.
Airport staff told officers that Martin regularly flies for one to two hours on Sunday mornings, but his family grew concerned when he didn't come home as usual.
Dowagiac is a small city roughly 25 miles east of Lake Michigan and a similar distance north from South Bend, Indiana.
Local news outlet WSBT 22 reported that six counties were being searched as of Thursday morning, including Van Buren, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, Cass County, Berrien, and Allegan.
The small Sonex Plane was fitted with a tracking device, but crews had not been able to find it.
The Messenger approached Michigan's Civil Air Patrol for comment but did not immediately receive a response.
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