UPDATE: St. Ignace Plane crash wreckage, remains of pilot located

UPDATE, September 26th, 2018 at 9:30am:

UPDATE, September 4th, 2018 at 12:00pm:

On Sunday September 2nd, divers located the engine and main cabin compartment of the plane and it was taken to a secure location for investigators to review. The remains of the pilot, 64-year-old, Ronald Steven Dague, were not located in the wreckage. Recovery efforts will continue in the search for Dague and critical debris.

ST. IGNACE — Police are investigating a plane crash that happened Friday night in St. Ignace.

Mackinac County Sheriff’s Office deputies were called to a possible plane crash at 9:49 p.m. Friday, near the Mackinac County Airport. Residents neat the airport reported seeing a plane possibly go into the water in Horseshoe Bay of Lake Huron.

Responding deputies found that a Wisconsin man, the pilot and the only person aboard the plane, had just taken off from the St. Ignace airport in route to Mackinac Island. Residents report that the plane was flying low and banked to the side and then they heard the impact.

Deputies, U.S. Coast Guard and Mackinac Marine Rescue responded by boat to the area and found debris in the water. Search efforts went through the night, and also included St. Ignace Police and Fire Departments, Michigan State Police, a USCG helicopter, and the Michigan State Police dive team. The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board were also contacted and have joined the investigation.

Searching continued Saturday morning, where additional debris was found. MSP dive team is investigating the area as well with side scan sonar and other specialized equipment.

The pilot’s name has not been released, pending notification of family members. More information will be released as developments occur.