Deputies from the Livingston County Sheriff Department were dispatched to Lake Shannon in Deerfield Township for an airplane crash at approximately 6:47 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 21, 2018.
A single-engine float plane, piloted by owner Harmon Pierce, 57, had successfully landed; it was taxiing to the owner’s dock when a strong wind gust flipped the plane upside down in the water. The pilot and an 18-year-old male passenger were able to escape the plane unharmed and were rescued by a boater on the lake.
The lake usually maintains high boat traffic as there are aquatic vehicle rental businesses around it such as the New Pontoon Boat Rentals, which is highly popular. Thankfully this meant that onlookers were able to quickly get to the scene in order to assist, preventing further injury or any loss of life.
Deputies on scene were assisted by members of the Hartland Area Fire Authority and Livingston County EMS. A report was made with the Federal Aviation Administration and the Michigan Department of Environmental Equality.
