Float Plane and Pilot lost

[Roger (K8RI)]

When we heard the Announcement on TV that a float plane had crashed
on Wixom Lake (Just NW of Midland MI) I told Joyce it had to be some
one we knew.

A float plane had departed Midland Barstow (3BS) in the afternoon and
as time wore on he appeared to be late getting back, but as with most
pilots he could have gone any where. Unfortunately it turned out to
be Marty.

The story http://www.ourmidland.com/site/news.asp?brd=2289 requires
registration but they don't send out adds or give out your address.

Marty Witkop had been practicing on Wixom Lake when the crash
occurred. No one saw it. Floating objects which turned out to be the
pontoons were reported near the dam. Only when officials went out did
they discover the airplane under them.

Marty was one of those guys who was always there to help. He took care
of the hangars for EAA Chapter 1093 and he was active at Oshkosh
nearly every year.

Marty was also a careful/cautious pilot who made certain he had proper
training and had the dream of flying his own seaplane. He's sure
going to be missed by many over a very wide area.




Roger Halstead (K8RI & ARRL life member)
(N833R, S# CD-2 Worlds oldest Debonair)
www.rogerhalstead.com

[Jim Burns[_1_]]

My condolences to Marty's friends and family. It sounds like he will be
missed.
Jim

"Roger (K8RI)" > wrote in message
...
> When we heard the Announcement on TV that a float plane had crashed
> on Wixom Lake (Just NW of Midland MI) I told Joyce it had to be some
> one we knew.
>
> A float plane had departed Midland Barstow (3BS) in the afternoon and
> as time wore on he appeared to be late getting back, but as with most
> pilots he could have gone any where. Unfortunately it turned out to
> be Marty.
>
> The story http://www.ourmidland.com/site/news.asp?brd=2289 requires
> registration but they don't send out adds or give out your address.
>
> Marty Witkop had been practicing on Wixom Lake when the crash
> occurred. No one saw it. Floating objects which turned out to be the
> pontoons were reported near the dam. Only when officials went out did
> they discover the airplane under them.
>
> Marty was one of those guys who was always there to help. He took care
> of the hangars for EAA Chapter 1093 and he was active at Oshkosh
> nearly every year.
>
> Marty was also a careful/cautious pilot who made certain he had proper
> training and had the dream of flying his own seaplane. He's sure
> going to be missed by many over a very wide area.
>
>
>
>
> Roger Halstead (K8RI & ARRL life member)
> (N833R, S# CD-2 Worlds oldest Debonair)
> www.rogerhalstead.com

[Peter R.]

"Roger (K8RI)" > wrote:

> When we heard the Announcement on TV that a float plane had crashed
> on Wixom Lake (Just NW of Midland MI) I told Joyce it had to be some
> one we knew.

Roger, I am very sorry to read of this accident. My thoughts go out to
you, his other friends, and most importantly his family.

By the way, I was able to read the story linked of that page without having
to register.

--
Peter

[Roger (K8RI)]

On Fri, 17 Nov 2006 21:22:05 -0500, "Peter R." >
wrote:

>"Roger (K8RI)" > wrote:
>
>> When we heard the Announcement on TV that a float plane had crashed
>> on Wixom Lake (Just NW of Midland MI) I told Joyce it had to be some
>> one we knew.
>
>Roger, I am very sorry to read of this accident. My thoughts go out to
>you, his other friends, and most importantly his family.
>
>By the way, I was able to read the story linked of that page without having
>to register.

The print version had a photo of the plane once it had been righted
and towed to shore.

Roger Halstead (K8RI & ARRL life member)
(N833R, S# CD-2 Worlds oldest Debonair)
www.rogerhalstead.com