REPUBLIC RC-3 SEABEE # 283

< prev | prod | next >

AIRCRAFT DATA

Pilot Escapes In Plane Crash

Craft Falls Into Lake Near Sawyer

     SAWYER. Sept. 11—A four-place amphibian plane was badly damaged when it crashlanded in Lake Michigan off Sherwood Hills beach near here yesterday afternoon. The pilot and owner of the plane. Dr. T. H. Vermeulen, a Chicago dentist escaped Injury.
     The accident occurred when Dr. Vermeulen attempted to take off after breaking off a wingtip pontoon when he landed in the lake. The damaged wingtip dipped into the water while the plane was taxing preparing to take off and the plane ground looped and turned over.
     Dr Vermeulen, who was unable to swim, dove from the submerged cabin and clung to a buoyant seat cushion until boats from the shore nearby reached him. The damaged pontoon, floating some distance from the plane was also recovered by the boatmen.

***

     COAST GUARDSMEN from Michigan City were called and they pulled the damaged plane to shore, experiencing considerable difficulty when the overturned plane became stuck on a sandbar.
     Dr. Vermeulen flew across the lake yesterday afternoon to inspect a property he intends to buy in this area. He had crossed the lake from Chicago in 45 minutes.
     The plane, a Republican (sic) Seabee amphibian, is valued at $7,000. Dr. Vermeulen returned to Chicago last evening to arrange salvage operations.

[The News-Palladium; Benton Harbor, Mich., Thursday, September 11, 1947]

< prev | prod | next >