Harbor Beach Michigan

Pilot, Buoyed by Sense of Humor, Survives 17 Hours in Water

Pilot Michael W. Trapp, 42, of Gouveneur, N.Y., is rescued Wednesday, July 27, 2011, in Harbor Beach, Mich. Trapp was found alive Wednesday morning by a passing fishing boat after his small plane crashed and flipped in Lake Huron, Tuesday evening. Trapp, who was not wearing a life jacket, spent 17 hours swimming and treading water until his rescue, authorities said.

A New York pilot has miraculously been rescued after his small plane crashed in Lake Huron, leaving him to swim and drift in the water without a life jacket for over 17 hours.

Officials say Michael Trapp, 42, was buoyed by an unsinkable sense of humor.

"He never lost his sense of humor," said Sid Schock, the Harbor Beach police chief. "The first thing he said was, 'If a 13-year-old girl could swim across the English Channel, I can survive overnight.'"

Trapp, from Gouverneur, N.Y., was flying from New York to Chippewa Falls, Wis., when a fuel problem led him to report a mayday before he lost contact with the Federal Aviation Administration around 5 p.m. on Tuesday.

"He ended up stalling the airplane into the lake, with the engine not running. Upon impact, the airplane flipped over," said Huron County Chief Kelly Hanson in a statement. "He then escaped the airplane as it sank seconds later."

Trapp's plane crashed 17 miles from Michigan's shore, according to the Coast Guard, and he swam 15 miles before today's rescue.

Pilot Crashed into Lake Huron and Floated for 17 Hours

Pilot Michael W. Trapp, 42, of Gouveneur, N.Y., is rescued Wednesday, July 27, 2011, in Harbor Beach, Mich. Trapp was found alive Wednesday morning by a passing fishing boat after his small plane crashed and flipped in Lake Huron, Tuesday evening. Trapp, who was not wearing a life jacket, spent 17 hours swimming and treading water until his rescue, authorities said.

Police say Trapp was the only passenger aboard the two-seat Cessna. He was picked up by a fishing boat that spotted him in the water.

"He had his socks off, and he was waving the socks over his head," Dean Petitpren, whose wife Diane spotted Trapp, told ABC's Detroit affiliate WXYZ.

Petitpren said that, luckily for Trapp, the water was warm and calm. The water in that area is 45-feet deep.

"He was really on his last leg. It looked like he was going to drown he said. His eyes were starting to shut. So, it's definitely a miracle ," Petitpren said.

"He was happy…and he was talking a lot. I asked him if he wanted some water at that point, and he said, 'No, I've had enough water," Petitren said.

07-29-2011 Southern Lake Huron | Michigan Fishing Reports

Capt. Ken Deaton of J-Lyn Charters reports from Harbor Beach:

Bass and Pike are still being taken using spoons and body baits in close to shore or inside the harbor.  Fish around the weed beds for best results.

A few Salmon are still being taken straight out and North of the harbor fishing 80 to100 foot of water areas.  Work deeper as the sun comes up.  Clean spoons off the lead lines, dipseys, and downriggers are all working.  Fish 15 to 60 feet down.

Steelhead fishing is still good, fish the color lines for best results.  Keep your lines up high.  Put out some 2,3, and 5 color lead lines on the boards, bright colors of spoons small, regular and magnum sizes for best results, fishing straight out and North of the harbor, start in 80 feet of water and work out as the sun comes up to 120 to 160 feet of water.

Lake Trout fishing is fair with some still being taken North of the harbor using the dodgers with spin and glows close to the bottom.  Any color still seems to be working when they decide to take them. Use clean spoons off the downriggers.  Fish 50 foot down to the bottom for best results.  Start fishing in 90 feet of water and work your way out to the deeper water till you find them.

Try for perch South by the cemetery or by Wagner Park using minnows.

Walleye fishing is getting better as the water warms up, try North of the harbor and north of Port Hope working in close to shore, 40 to 65 feet of water. Clean small spoons or crawler harnesses should work.

Every Saturday Harbor Beach Light House Tours will be available.  The time is from 10am to 1 pm , weather permitting from the Harbor Beach City Marina .  Call        989-479-9707    or   810-542-0426    for more information.  We welcome you to come enjoy a wonderful tour of our great lakes lighthouse that will let you take a walk back in time .  You will even see some of the original furniture used by the lighthouse keepers.  So don’t forget your camera!  The view from the top of the lighthouse is breath taking!  Tennis shoes or soft soled shoes are recommended.  Tickets are $20 and can be purchased on site or in advance.  There is a reservation list so if you would like to reserve your spot in advance just give the marina a call and you can do so by phone.