An older couple from Bellaire whose float-plane overturned after trying to take off from Northport Bay may owe their lives to Leelanau County Deputy Sheriff Wayne Kalchik.

Deputy Sheriff Wayne Kalchik

A member of the sheriff’s Marine Patrol during the summer – and a science teacher at Suttons Bay Public Schools the rest of the year – Kalchik was assisting the crew of an overturned sailboat near the Northport Point Yacht Club when he saw bigger trouble around 5 p.m. Saturday.

A Cessna 185 single-engine aircraft on pontoons had just made a rough landing in the waters off Paradesia Point.

“As the plane touched the water it began to jump and roll considerably,” Kalchik reported.

“At one point, the plane’s right wing touched the water and spray from the waves impacted the propeller and water wash was thrown over the plane’s wings.”

Kalchik could see that the plane was still in trouble as it positioned itself to attempt a takeoff. By that time, two power boats from the yacht club had arrived to assist the crew of the overturned sailboat, so Kalchik proceeded at full speed toward the airplane in case his assistance was needed.

It was.

After more maneuvering on the water, the plane suddenly flipped forward. Its 79-year-old pilot, Gilbert Richards, and his wife, Mary, struggled to get out of the plane as it began to settle, upside down, in the water.

Approaching in his patrol boat from the right side of the plane, Kalchik could see Mary Richards exiting the aircraft.

“She just kept yelling that she couldn’t get her husband out, that he was all tangled up,” Kalchik said.

Overturned plane

Kalchik then removed his utility belt and was preparing to enter the water himself to go after the pilot when he saw Gilbert Richards’ head pop out of the water just as the cockpit of the plane went underwater. The plane continued to roll over until only its pontoons remained above water. The plane was completely inverted.

By that time, another civilian power boat had made it to the area and was able to fish Gilbert Richards from the water while Kalchik pulled Mary Richards into his patrol boat.

Kalchik then positioned his boat next to the civilian vessel and transferred the pilot aboard.

“Mr. Richards had a few minor cuts and complained that he might have twisted his arm, but both Mr. and Mrs. Richards appeared fine under the circumstances,” Kalchik reported.

Leelanau Township Emergency Medical Services was waiting at Northport Harbor when Kalchik transported the couple to shore. EMS personnel examined the couple and provided treatment on the scene.

Meanwhile, members of the Leelanau Township Fire Department launched their own vessel and joined Kalchik and Marine Patrol commander Charlie Belanger back at the site of the inverted aircraft. A Coast Guard helicopter circled overhead but returned to Traverse City after its crew learned that those in the downed aircraft had already been rescued.

Michigan Department of Natural Resources conservation officer Mike Borkovich also arrived at the scene in a boat to assess whether there were any fuel leaks from the aircraft or any immediate threat to the environment. None was in evidence.

Fire Department personnel then towed the overturned aircraft to deeper water and secured it there so it would not run aground. On Monday afternoon, the plane was towed closer to shore where it was recovered by a crane. Since then, officials of the Federal Aviation Administration have begun an investigation into how the accident occurred.

“My husband and I are doing very well now,” Mary Richards said Tuesday by telephone from Bellaire. She said her husband was in Cincinnati on business. The couple had flown to Northport Bay to visit friends vacationing on Paradesia Point.

“We’ve landed in rougher water before and I’m quite certain there was some kind of mechanical issue,” Richards said. “It may have been that some water got into one of the floats and we lost balance.”

Richards said she was very grateful to Kalchik and all of the emergency responders as well as the civilian boaters who helped her and her husband.

“All of the emergency responders were very professional and very compassionate,” she said. “Everyone was wonderful, and we’re so thankful.”

Kalchik acknowledged that Saturday’s incident in Northport Bay was a major event for him – but balked at anyone calling him a hero.

“There were plenty of other people in the area who could have – and did – help this couple,” Kalchik said. “I like to think everything would have turned out okay even if I hadn’t been right there – but there’s just no way to know, of course.”

Otherwise, the Sheriff’s Marine Patrol had a rather busy weekend just after the Fourth of July. In addition to dealing with overturned sailboats and other minor crises, the patrol also responded to two boat collisions as well as a boat that caught fire on Lake Leelanau. No injuries were reported in the incidents.