Charlotte man identified as victim in deadly Beaver Island plane crash

CHARLEVOIX COUNTY, Mich., (WPBN/WGTU) -- Investigators have identified the man who died in a plane crash on Beaver Island.

The Beaver Island Fire Department and EMS first responded to a report of a loud explosion in the area around Peaine Township Airport around 7:45 p.m. Sunday.

The victim in the crash has been identified as Donald Stuart Falik, 72 of Charlotte, Michigan.

According to our sister station in Lansing, WILX, Falik was a dentist.

Reports said Falik has a home on Beaver Island and was leaving the island at the time of the crash

According to an airport employee, it sounded like Falik's plane was struggling to climb.

Falik's body has been sent to Grand Rapids for an autopsy.

According to Charlevoix County Sheriff Charles Vondra, Falik was the pilot and only person in the plane at the time of the crash.

The U.S. Coast Guard was called to assist.

After an extensive search, Falik's Piper Fixed Wing twin engine plane was found to have crashed in a heavily wooded area off Buff Kett Road.

The crash is being investigated by the Charlevoix County Sheriff's Office, Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board.