MASON COUNTY, Mich. — Two people died when an airplane crashed shortly after taking off from the Mason County Airport on Sunday morning.
Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole told FOX 17 that at 10:01 a.m. Sunday, "a citizen called to report they had witnessed a plane crash shortly after take-off from the Mason County Airport."
It appears the fixed wing, single engine plane left the east/west runway, banked hard, and crashed into a field off the airport property. The plane caught fire upon impact.
According to MSP Sixth District, two people perished in the crash — a 43-year-old woman and a 60-year-old man from Indiana. Their two dogs were also killed in the crash. The couple was visiting family in the Ludington area.
Cole said the victims' names are not being released at this time.
He said the crash was not on the airport's property.
"It crashed probably 700 to 800 yards north of the airport in a field," said Cole.
In addition to the Mason County Sheriff's Office, the Pere Marquette Fire Department, Ludington Fire Department & Rescue, the Hamlin Fire Department, Life EMS, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Michigan State Police all responded to the scene.
Cole said the Federal Aviation Administration has been contacted.
The incident remains under investigation by the MSP Hart Post with assistance from the Mason County Sheriff's Office. The National Transportation Safety Board is expected to arrive on Monday to assist in the investigation.
