After 17 years, Wreckage from 2007 plane crash and Skeletal Remains Found in Lake Huron

August 29, 2024, Grand Rapids, Michigan- After 17 years of mystery, detectives have made a significant breakthrough in the case of a plane crash in Lake Huron. About seventeen years ago, in August 2007, a light aircraft went missing over Lake Huron. Recovery efforts at that time were only able to find the body of the pilot, leaving the plane and the passenger unaccounted for.

Discovery of Wreckage and Skeletal Remains

The breakthrough came when a private search and recovery company, Great Lakes Search & Recovery, discovered the wreckage of the small plane near Bois Blanc Island. They were conducting search operations at the request of the families of the missing individuals. With the discovery of the plane wreckage, they also found the skeletal remains of the passenger inside the wreckage.

Role of Michigan State Police

The company informed Michigan State Police (MSP) about their findings and the department’s Marine Services Team visited the site for verification. With collected evidence, the team managed to confirm that it was indeed the plane that had crashed back in 2007.
The MSP was instrumental in not just verifying the aircraft wreckage but also helped in identifying the skeletal remains. With the assistance of the Forensic Anthropology department at Northern Michigan University, they evaluated the dental records to confirm that the remains belonged to the passenger.

Liaisons Between Private and Public Sectors

The cooperation between a private search and recovery company and the public law enforcement agencies made this resolution possible. The extensive search and recovery operation carried out by Great Lakes Search & Recovery located the site where the wreckage was lying for years. The MSP, upon receiving the information, swiftly moved in to ascertain the situation and collect preliminary evidence. They coordinated with the Forensic Anthropology department at Northern Michigan University to identify the remains based on dental records.

Finding Closure:

Solving the enigma of the 2007 plane crash, this discovery brings closure to the families of the victims who have been waiting for years to find out what happened to their loved ones in that final flight from Bad Axe to Mackinac Island. This significant breakthrough uncovers the truth about the tragic accident, completing the 17 year mystery that had surrounded this event. The tale of the missing aircraft and its passenger is complete, giving a semblance of peace to the distraught family members.

While this case gives closure to the family of the victims, it also sets a precedent for the cooperative efforts of private and public institutions. It shows how diligently the MSP, Great Lakes Search & Recovery, and Northern Michigan University worked together to provide answers and offer peace to the victims’ families.