Cessna Citation Jet Crashes near McKinley Marina-Milwaukee
 

4pm Univ Mich "organ transplant" jet with 2 crew and 4 passengers (medical staff) took off and called distress after 5 min to Milw airport. Plane went into Lake Mich 1 mile off launch ramps. It's in about 20 ft of water. :(

Any news on survivors yet? I worked with Uof M Survival Flight staff for 6 years ... :(

there will be none.
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MONDAY, June 4, 2007, 8:20 p.m.
By Associated Press

UPDATE: Plane crash victims
A medical transport plane carrying six people went down this afternoon in Lake Michigan shortly after the pilot signaled an emergency, authorities said.

There was no word on survivors.

The plane was leased by the University of Michigan Health System in Ann Arbor, according to a university news release. It's owned by Toy Air and based at Willow Run Airport in Ypsilanti, Mich.

The university identified those aboard as a team that was returning from Milwaukee with unspecified organs for transplant to a patient in Michigan:

*Dr. David Ashburn, a physician-in-training in pediatric cardiothoracic surgery.

*Richard Chenault II, a transplant donation specialist with the university transplant program.

*Richard Lapensee, a transplant donation specialist with the university transplant program.

*Dennis Hoyes, a Marlin air pilot.

*Bill Serra, a Marlin air pilot.

*Dr. Martinus "Martin" Spoor, a cardiac surgeon who had been on the faculty since 2003.

Thanks DT42. No one I know personally, but a truly tragic loss to the University, it's patients, and family members/friends of those lost. Also understand there were transplant organs on the flight. Thoughts and prayers for all involved.

MILWAUKEE -- A medical transport plane went down into Lake Michigan about 1 mile east of McKinley Marina at about 4 p.m. Monday.

The Milwaukee Fire Department said there were six people aboard. Lt. Lawrence Jenkins said there were two crew members and four passengers

Toy Air President Bob Paige the plane belonged to Toy Air based in Southfield, Mich. He also confirmed those on board were a part of the University of Michigan transplant team.


A Detroit television station confirmed that two surgeons and two perfusionists from University of Michigan were on their way back to perform a double lung transplant.

The nephew of either the pilot or co-pilot called WISN 12 News and said that his 60-year-old uncle, from Jackson, Mich., was on board. He said the family was informed of the crash.

Search organizers told 12 News reporter that they have identified human remains and are asking helicopters to back off.

Milwaukee's new fire chief, Douglas Holton, said they were still in search and rescue mode at 5:25 p.m. The Milwaukee medical examiner's office told Henry that it had an investigator on the boat.

Jenkins told Henry they found discoloration in the water and that is how they discovered the debris field.

WISN 12 News confirmed that it was a Cessna Citation aircraft that went down. It was leaving from Mitchell Field and was headed for Willow Run Airport near Detroit. It would normally have been a 42 minute flight.

The Federal Aviation Administration said it lost contact with the plane at about 4 p.m. It departed from Mitchell at 3:58 p.m. Shortly afterward, it made a distress call and said it was returning.

The airport closed down for 20 minutes

WISN 12 News' Shelby Croft talked to people at the Milwaukee Yacht Club and someone said they saw something go down and then saw an explosion.




Weather Watch 12 Chief Meteorologist Mark Baden said rain had been falling at the approximate time of the crash and there were winds coming out of the north at 20 mph.

Holton said the water temperature was 57 degrees, and the survivability length is 16 hours.

Milwaukee police had 10 divers in the water. The Milwaukee Fire Department had 32 divers at the scene. The Milwaukee County Sheriff's Department also had divers at the scene. The Coast Guard had two boats and one aircraft at the scene.

Holton said the conditions are favorable for successful diving.

The Coast Guard said it will remain on scene all night. Divers will stop at nightfall.

The NTSB is expected to arrive Tuesday morning.

People On Board


University of Michigan Health System identified the people aboard the plane Monday night:

David Ashburn, M.D., a fellow (physician-in-training) in pediatric cardiothoracic surgery
Richard Chenault II, a transplant donation specialist with the U-M Transplant Program
Dennis Hoyes, 60, a Marlin air pilot
Richard Lapensee, a transplant donation specialist with the U-M Transplant Program
Bill Serra, a Marlin air pilot
Martinus (Martin) Spoor, M.D., a cardiac surgeon who had been on the U-M faculty since 2003

It said the families have all been notified.

"The thoughts of the entire University community are with the families of those involved this evening,” said Darrell A. Campbell, M.D., chief of staff of the U-M Hospitals & Health Centers and a transplant surgeon. "We vigilantly await the results of the Coast Guard’s search."

they said on the news that the organs were on board and of course are lost, it was for a double lung transplant. Since there was a pediactric specialist on board, I can't help but wonder if the organs were for a child. So terribly sad for so many family and friends. May they all rest in peace.

Very sad to lose that many talented and caring people:( :(

truely a sad loss..I have transported many of the teams from the airport to the hospital. always top notch professionals at the top of there field.