Plane totaled in crash at Loon Lake

By Marie T. Johnson

August 13, 2013 at 10:55 AM

A pilot from North Dakota was unharmed, but his airplane totaled, in a crash on Loon Lake on Saturday.

Mark Spiekermeier, age 60, of Wahpeton, was attempting to take off from the water on the southeast side of Loon Lake, northwest of Perham, when his 2006 Airborne Ultra-Lite plane veered to the right and crashed, according to a report by the Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office.

Spiekermeier told authorities that he believed there was a mechanical problem, but won’t know more until the plane is inspected. He has 15 years of flying experience.

Authorities reported no signs of impairment.

The plane was towed to shore with the help of local boat owners, Vergas Fire and Rescue and the Otter Tail County Water Patrol.

No hazardous material leaked into the lake.

By Marie T. Johnson

A writer, editor and mom of four (two kids, two dogs), Marie's been in the newspaper business for over 20 years. She started at the Detroit Lakes Tribune in 2017 after working just down the road at the Perham Focus for several years. Before that, she was at the Herald-Review in Grand Rapids, Minn.

Plane totaled in crash at Loon Lake

A pilot from North Dakota was unharmed, but his airplane totaled, in a crash on Loon Lake on Saturday. Mark Spiekermeier, age 60, of Wahpeton, was attempting to take off from the water on the southeast side of Loon Lake, northwest of Perham, when...