Coast Guard Rescues Three After Lake Michigan Plane Crash Near Racine, Wisconsin

A small single-engine Cirrus SR22 plane crashed into Lake Michigan approximately 12-20 miles off the coast near Racine and Oak Creek, Wisconsin, shortly after taking off from Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport en route to Michigan. The three occupants, all wearing life jackets, survived the crash and were rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard and other responders, who received an emergency call from air traffic control. The rescue involved Coast Guard boats and an aircraft from Traverse City, Michigan, with local law enforcement providing support onshore. The plane was last tracked on radar before dropping into the lake, and the exact cause of the in-flight problem leading to the crash remains unknown. The survivors were transported to the Coast Guard station in Milwaukee for medical evaluation, and authorities continue to investigate the incident. This coordinated rescue effort highlights the swift response and collaboration among aviation, Coast Guard, and local law enforcement agencies.