Airplane crashes through thin ice on northern Minnesota lake

December 20, 2023

UPPER RED LAKE, Minn. (KFGO) – A pilot and passenger are safe after their single engine airplane broke through the ice on northern Minnesota’s Upper Red Lake Tuesday morning.

According to the Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office, the two people flew from Grand Rapids and were heading to the lake to ice fish. The pilot found what was thought to be a safe landing spot, but had difficulty slowing the plane once they touched down.

The plane slid into an area of ice that was only an inch or two thick, and the nose broke through.

Other people fishing the area helped get the pilot and passenger to safety. The two were okay except for wet clothes from the waist down.

The pilot has arranged for the plane to be removed.