MARINE CITY, Mich. – A pilot and his three children weren't seriously hurt after the small plane they were in made a hard landing and flipped over Friday at Marine City Airport.
St. Clair County Sheriff Tim Donnellon said the 59-year-old pilot said a gust of wind flipped the Cessna 172 Skyhawk as it landed.
The pilot and his children, ages 18, 12 and 10, were able to get out.
The pilot obtained his license last summer and has flown a good deal since. Lance LeVian, a veteran pilot with 25,000 hours, said there was not excessive winds but they sometimes can be tricky.
"When you come in on approach over those trees you can pick up wind that will catch you off guard and get you sideways," said LeVian.
The plane is likely a total loss. The FAA will investigate, but it appears this was an unfortunate mistake, with a very fortunate outcome.
"He was pretty upset obviously. I told him he was OK, the kid's were OK, no blood spilled," said LeVian.