Tragic Plane Crash in Bath Township Claims Three Lives

News Summary

A devastating plane crash occurred in Bath Township, Michigan, killing three individuals, including two pilots and a mechanic. The aircraft, a Hawker 800 twin-jet, crashed shortly after departing from Battle Creek Executive Airport during maintenance testing. Despite the local community’s mourning, the investigation is ongoing, with authorities examining flight data to uncover the cause of the tragic accident. The victims have been identified, but definitive identification awaits DNA testing.

Bath Township, Michigan – A plane crash in Clinton County on Thursday killed three individuals, including two pilots and a mechanic, when their aircraft went down around 5 p.m. near the intersection of Clark Road and Peacock Road in Bath Township, located north of Lansing. The deceased have been identified as pilots Rodolfo Pimentel Zamora and Francisco Del Moral Jimenez from Mexico City, and mechanic Alvaro Espejo Javier Rodriguez from Veracruz, Mexico.

Authorities confirmed the identities of the victims after coordination with the Mexican Consulate in Detroit and the Medical Examiner’s Office at University of Michigan Health-Sparrow Hospital. However, the identifications are not yet definitive, as DNA testing will be required and is expected to take several weeks to complete.

Bath Township Supervisor Ryan Fewins-Bliss extended condolences on behalf of the local community, emphasizing that residents are mourning the loss of the victims and offering healing thoughts to their families. Fewins-Bliss also commended federal workers who are investigating the crash, noting their dedication despite facing pay uncertainty due to the ongoing federal government shutdown.

The plane involved was a Hawker 800 twin-jet that had departed from Battle Creek Executive Airport the same day. According to flight records, the aircraft traveled approximately 152 miles northwest toward Bath Township, but tracking data shows its flight path ceased before the incident occurred.

The crew had been conducting maintenance at the Battle Creek airport prior to the incident, which was described as taking place during a stall flight while performing a test after maintenance. Tragically, there were no survivors; all individuals aboard the aircraft died in the crash.

Fire Chief Mark Koonter reported that the aircraft went down in a wooded and secluded area, complicating access for firefighters who had to cut through dense brush to reach the crash site. Local police have advised residents to avoid the area due to smoke rising from the wreckage.

The investigation into the crash is currently being conducted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). As part of the investigative process, flight tracking data has indicated that the plane’s altitude and speed dramatically decreased leading up to the crash, but the destination of the aircraft before the incident remains unknown.

This incident adds to the concerns regarding safety in aviation, particularly in light of the recent challenges facing the federal government that have impacted numerous federal agencies. With families and communities left to grapple with the loss, authorities continue to work diligently to uncover the circumstances surrounding this tragic accident.

As this story continues to develop, further updates will be provided as authorities gather more information.

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STAFF HERE GRANDRAPIDS WRITER
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