On Friday, a flight heading to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, crashed into Lake Michigan.  The plane, a 1971 single-engine Cessna 206, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), was carrying five people when it crashed.

The pilot, Jerry Freed, was the only survivor, according to reports.  Still reportedly missing are Earl Davidson, the co-pilot, Dr. James Hall of Alma, Alma Schools superintendent Don Pavlik and Pavlik's wife, Irene.  All were residents of Alma, Michigan, a town 150 miles northwest of Detroit.

Pavlik was reportedly enroute to the Mayo Clinic to undergo medical treatment.

On Saturday, authorities reportedly called off the search for the missing four people after a 27-hour search that covered approximately 1,000 miles. 

The plane reportedly left Alma about 9 a.m. Friday.  Air traffic control received a report from Freed about mechanical problems within an hour according to the FAA.
According to the Mason County emergency management office, Freed decided to return to Michigan and the passengers were prepared for an emergency landing.

Ludington Daily News reports that Jane Freed, the pilot’s wife, said her husband had checked the plane Thursday to prepare for the trip and had no concerns. The AP reports that Jerry Freed had flown many people to the Mayo Clinic in the past.

According to reports, Lake Michigan’s surface temperature was 68 degrees on Friday with waves of 2 to 4 feet.
Mason County Undersheriff Tom Trenner was reported as saying Saturday that prospects were not good for surviving more than a day in such chilly water.

The U.S. and Canadian Coast Guards reportedly provided helicopters and fixed-wing planes for the search. According to reports, watercraft from the Mason and Oceana County sheriff's departments, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment, and a variety of volunteer boaters also joined in the rescue effort.