Plane Loses Communication: Coast Guard Searching

BAD AXE, Mich. (WWJ)- The U.S. Coast Guard is searching for a plane with one or two people aboard that may have crashed into Lake Huron off northern Michigan.

WWJ's Gary Lundy spoke with USCG Petty Officer Lauren Jorgensen about the missing plane:
"He lost communication with the FAA so they contacted us ... so we have a helicopter in from the Detroit area searching," said Jorgensen.

The Coast Guard's Cleveland district office says the pilot of the two-seat Cessna 150 radioed about 5 p.m. saying he was having engine problems.

"They had gotten a call from a pilot who was flying over Lake Huron are reported that he was having engine problems. He reported that he was about 29 miles east of Bad Axe, which puts him over Lake Huron," said Jorgensen.

"The most recent reports ... the coast guard aircraft and the sheriff's aircraft are on the scene and they have not seen any signs of a downed aircraft or any debris fields in the area," added Jorgensen.

The plane took off from New York and was headed to Wisconsin.

It wasn't known if a passenger was aboard the plane.