So Coast Guard *** little over an hour ago received notification from ATC at Milwaukee of *** downed Cessna 12 calls offshore racing. Can I start that one over? I’m so sorry. There we go. Yep, first name Joe, J O E, last name Neff, November Echo Foxtrot Foxtrot, public affairs officer, Coast Guard Se Lake Michigan. So Coast Guard received *** notification *** little over an hour ago from air traffic control out of Milwaukee that there was *** downed Cessna 12 nautical miles offshore racing, 3 persons on board. We launched Coast Guard Station Milwaukee and then also requested *** helicopter from Traverse City, Michigan. Uh, to head that way. Uh, Station Milwaukee boat got on scene. Luckily recovered all three persons from the water wearing life jackets, brought them on board the boat and are currently en route here to station to drop them off at the EMS. Uh, currently no reported injuries at the time.
Small plane goes into Lake Michigan near Wind Point; 3 rescued
Three people rescued from water were wearing life jackets
Updated: 4:42 PM CDT Sep 11, 2025
A small plane went down into Lake Michigan on Thursday afternoon near Racine County. It happened about 14 miles east of Wind Point about 12:37 p.m.The Coast Guard received an alert at 12:45 p.m. from Air Traffic Control at Mitchell International Airport. It then launched a boat and requested a helicopter from the Coast Guard in Traverse City, Michigan, Coast Guard Lt. Joe Neff told WISN 12 News. Three people were on board, and they were rescued, according to the Coast Guard. Neff said the people were wearing life jackets and had no reported injuries.”I think (this) really illustrates life jackets save lives. We try to tell everyone life jackets save lives. Please wear a life jacket. They were all safe from the plane crash, but had life jackets to float there for 40 minutes before we got on scene to pick them up,” Neff said. They were taken to the Coast Guard station in Milwaukee to be medically evaluated. When they reached land, they all walked off the boat, seemingly in pretty good spirits, WISN 12 News’ TJ Dysart reported.According to a Mitchell International spokeswoman, at about 12:17 p.m., the Cirrus SR22 aircraft departed Milwaukee for a flight to Michigan. The aircraft, a small single-engine propeller plane, is submerged. It is not yet known what caused the plane to go down.Top HeadlinesDriver charged in crash that killed 2 Marquette lacrosse playersWaukesha school district advances plans to consolidate and close some schools Tiger mosquitoes emerging in WisconsinMilwaukee issues home demolition orders following historic rainfallWATCH Man-made waterfall removed to help fish swim freely in Milwaukee River
WIND POINT, Wis. —
A small plane went down into Lake Michigan on Thursday afternoon near Racine County.
It happened about 14 miles east of Wind Point about 12:37 p.m.
The Coast Guard received an alert at 12:45 p.m. from Air Traffic Control at Mitchell International Airport.
It then launched a boat and requested a helicopter from the Coast Guard in Traverse City, Michigan, Coast Guard Lt. Joe Neff told WISN 12 News.
Three people were on board, and they were rescued, according to the Coast Guard.
Neff said the people were wearing life jackets and had no reported injuries.
“I think (this) really illustrates life jackets save lives. We try to tell everyone life jackets save lives. Please wear a life jacket. They were all safe from the plane crash, but had life jackets to float there for 40 minutes before we got on scene to pick them up,” Neff said.
They were taken to the Coast Guard station in Milwaukee to be medically evaluated. When they reached land, they all walked off the boat, seemingly in pretty good spirits, WISN 12 News’ TJ Dysart reported.
According to a Mitchell International spokeswoman, at about 12:17 p.m., the Cirrus SR22 aircraft departed Milwaukee for a flight to Michigan.
The aircraft, a small single-engine propeller plane, is submerged.
It is not yet known what caused the plane to go down.
Top Headlines
WATCH Man-made waterfall removed to help fish swim freely in Milwaukee River