On 10-29-18 at 6:17 p.m., the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department as well as numerous County Fire and Rescue teams responded to Camp Lake in the County of Kenosha for a water call involving a possible small plane crash.
Investigation revealed that 78-year-old Donald Fechtner from Antioch, Illinois, was piloting his ultralight/sea plane and attempted a "touch and go" maneuver (touch the water with plane, proceed on water, and take off again). Donald stated the hull of the plane broke apart causing the aircraft incapable of taking off again. This resulted in the plane coming to rest in the lake. Mr. Fechtner was not injured and walked to shore.
A person who lived on the lake drove him home after Donald decided he would remove the plane in the morning.
The Department of Natural Resources was contacted as well as the Federal Aviation Administration and are both still investigating. The Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department is not recommending any criminal charges on Mr. Fechtner who when contacted, confirmed no injury.
Original news release from the Kenosha County Sheriff's Department at 8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 29, 2018:
The Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department is currently investigating a report of a Damaged ‘Sea Plane’ located on Camp Lake in Kenosha County. The department is currently attempting to locate the plane's owner.
Sheriff David Beth will be holding a press conference at the Camp Lake Boat Launch located at 100th Street and 278th Avenue at 8:30 p.m.