Forest Service Workers Found Remains Of An Airplane In A Remote Part Of The State

National Forest Service workers in a remote portion of northern Michigan made a startling discovery on Wednesday ... the wreckage of a small airplane authorities now believe went missing in 1997.

Television station WJBK reports that the wreckage was discovered in the Hiawatha National Forest. It is believed to be a Piper PA-28-235 that went missing with two people on board September 14, 1997.

If it is that airplane, it departed from Drummond Island in Lake Huron en route to Howell, about 300 miles to the south. On board were Mark Davies, the pilot, and his wife Janet. No flight plan was filed for the trip, according to the report.

The NTSB said at the time that the plane had been tracked on radar flying south, then turning back to the north before disappearing in a fog bank. Authorities searched for the airplane for four days at the time, but no trace was found.

Authorities who have examined the wreckage found Wednesday believe it is the missing aircraft based on registration information.

(Image from YouTube Video posted by Jacks Aircraft. Not accident airplane)

FMI: Original report