Plane down in St. Marys River (update)

7:18 p.m. update

U.S. Coast Guard officials confirm a float plane overturned on the American side of the St. Marys River at approximately 4 p.m. Wednesday.

The plane was in taxi mode when it flipped over, said U.S. Coast Guard Lieutenant Creighton Chong, speaking to SooToday.

It is not known if the plane was getting ready to take off or if it had just landed when it flipped, nor what exactly caused it to flip.

The U.S. Coast Guard was called to the scene and discovered boaters passing by had come to the pilot’s aid.

The pilot, a male, was recovered “safe, conscious and in stable condition,” Chong said.

There was no one else on board.

Chong said the man was being transported back to Canada by the RCMP.

It is not known if he was taken to hospital.

RCMP officials were not available for comment. 

An RCMP boat raced to the scene to assist the U.S. Coast Guard.

The plane was towed back to the dock area near the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre, where it will be lifted from the water, said U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Lauren Laughlin.

Original story

There are few details available at this time but reports indicate a small float plane has capsized or crashed in St. Marys River in the vicinity of the Pine Street Marina.

The plane's pontoons were spotted above the water level shortly after 4 p.m. today and emergency crews were dispatched.

Among those responding to the incident were the RCMP, shown, Sault Ste. Marie Fire Services and the United States Coast Guard. 

SooToday's Darren Taylor is on the scene and will have more information as it becomes available.