Hastings man dies in aircraft crash

CASCO TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WZZM/AP) --A pilot from Hastings has died after his two-seater crashed in Allegan County early Monday afternoon.

Craig Ewing, 45, of Hastings had flown light sport planes for about five years. He ran a business that sold the lightweight aircraft and provided flight instruction. Ewing also traveled around the country selling planes and training pilots.

Ewing's father says his son was flying from Chicago to his hanger at the Hastings Airport when the plane crashed in Casco Township on Monday afternoon. Michigan State Police found Ewing and his plane in a cornfield.

A resident called police after seeing the sports craft's wing break off in mid-air.

"I heard it rev a couple times and it was kind of interesting to hear it rev because normally it's just consistent. And then I heard a big bang and then I see a wing come out of the clouds and it flitted down just like a maple [tree] seed and it landed right over here just in the field, " said Isaac Fleming.

Investigators say the wreckage fell in two different areas. The body of Ewing and the fuselage were discovered in a cornfield near 111th Avenue and 68th Street; the wing was about 500 yards away.

"It is very unusual that the wing area would be that much of a distance away from the fuselage," said Lt. Patrick Boyd with Michigan State Police.

The sport craft only requires a low level pilot's license and minimal radio communication.

"This type of aircraft, they don't always have to stay in contact with radio airports," added Boyd.