Two Small Plane Crashes
Two planes crashed within hours of each other yesterday in Michigan. In northern Michigan around 6:30 p.m. a small plane carrying pilot Patrick J. McNamara, 52, and passenger, Christopher A. Hasty, 32, both of Gaylord died when they reportedly crashed-landed on the shoulder of the freeway. According to reports, the crash occurred on southbound I-75, 235 miles north of Detroit.
Earlier that same morning, at approximately 8:45 a.m., a Beechcraft Bonanza A36, bound for Muskoka Airport in Ontario, reportedly crashed on takeoff from the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport. James George Wilton of Ontario, Canada, 60, was reportedly the only person on board and died as a result of the crash. According to reports, the plane was experiencing mechanical problems and caught fire after running into a fence.
The National Transportation Safety Board planned to investigate both crashes.