Piper Lands on Ice-Covered Lake Huron - Straits of Mackinac

[tomokc]

http://woodtv.com/2014/02/17/plane-makes-emergency-landing-on-lake-huron/

A single-engine Piper set down on the ice in the Lake Huron side of the Straits of Mackinac this morning after loss of power. There were seven or eight on board (I've read seven total and seven pax so take your pick). Snowmobilers quickly arrived and transported passengers to land (it was -15 at KPLN this morning, about 20 miles SW of here).

Thank goodness the gear stayed down. Hard to say for sure, but the warmth of the engine on the ice could have been enough to melt through and put it on the bottom.

 

[SquatThrust]

what single engined piper holds 8 people?? Looks like a Cherokee in the photo.

 

[NewYorkophile]

what single engined piper holds 8 people?? Looks like a Cherokee in the photo.

I think we found the reason for putting her down.

 

[tomokc]

Looks like a Cherokee to me too. Must've been a lap child.

 

[trafficinsight]

It's a Cherokee Six

 

[tiredcfi]

It's a Cherokee Six

Cherokee Seven

 

[mogley68]

It's more than likely a media error on the passenger count. I flew there for a couple years and still keep in touch with the owner so I'll see if I can get an idea of what happened.

 

[mogley68]

I would hardly call it "work"

Thanks Chris...What have you been up to?

 

[Roger Roger]

Cherokee 6 often has 3 across the middle for a total of 6 pax and a pilot. Could theoretically throw a lap baby in there too but they'd all have to be small and you'd probably be rolling with about 20 gallons of gas.

 

[ArcherII]

Cherokee 6 often has 3 across the middle for a total of 6 pax and a pilot. Could theoretically throw a lap baby in there too but they'd all have to be small and you'd probably be rolling with about 20 gallons of gas.

This. If it is like the Lance II, it can hold 7 people, with a small one in the middle of the two wingspar-seats.

 

[mshunter]

Could theoretically throw a lap baby in there too but they'd all have to be small and you'd probably be rolling with about 20 gallons of gas.

Or facing the wrath of the FAA, quickly followed by the NTSB, and a "we'll take that piece of plastic for x number of days thank you."

 

[Finny]

Thank goodness the gear stayed down. Hard to say for sure, but the warmth of the engine on the ice could have been enough to melt through and put it on the bottom.

That ice up there is ridiculously think this time of year. Short of the airplane catching fire, it's going to be fine on that ice. That's why I love flying in winter in Minnesota, many different landing options! Just as long as you don't take out an ice fisherman during your roll-out.

 

[SteveC]

I was in Pellston this morning and heard about it from the ground crew there.

 

[hook_dupin]

The ice can work just fine for a landing surface....

http://www.aopa.org/News-and-Video/...on-Bay-ice-airport-opens-for-2014-season.aspx

 

[tomokc]

I was in Pellston this morning and heard about it from the ground crew there.

It was -15F in PLN when I first checked this morning.

 

[Plata]

but the warmth of the engine on the ice could have been enough to melt through and put it on the bottom.

Not a chance in a million.

 

[ppragman]

Not a chance in a million.

Hey, I need to call you back, after my wife's ultrasound tomorrow, I'll give you a shout - sorry!

 

[bronco21016]

Good 'ol Pellston Lodge.... Just spent 15 hours there the other night. It was COLDDDDDD.

 

[tomokc]

N7122J, a 1973 Cherokee Six.