Pilot injured after small aircraft crashes during takeoff at Manistee Blacker Airport

MANISTEE COUNTY — The Manistee County Sheriff’s Office said Thursday they are investigating an ultralight aircraft crash at Manistee Blacker Airport.

On Aug. 22 at 11:06 a.m., deputies said an aircraft was attempting to take off from the airport runway when it lost control and struck the ground next to the paved runway.

The aircraft was operated by a 59-year-old Manistee man, deputies said. The man was taken from the scene for unknown/possible injuries, they said. Alcohol and drugs are not believed to be a factor in this incident, deputies said.

There were no major delays to flights, and the airport was open for normal business shortly after the incident.

The Federal Aviation Administration was contacted about the crash, deputies said.

The sheriff’s office was assisted by Little River Band of Ottawa Indian Tribal Police, Mobile Medical Response (MMR), the Manistee Township Fire Department, Manistee City Fire Department, Manistee Central Dispatch and Manistee Blacker Airport.