LOWELL, Mich.– A 67 year old man from New Mexico was killed after a plane crash at Lowell Airport on Sunday.
According to a release from Kent County Sheriff’s Department, Bryan Bowker died after the Ultralight Plane he was riding in crashed. Officials were called at the scene at 11:37 a.m.
Bowker traveled from Edgewood, NM to purchase the plane. Officials say he successfully flew and landed the aircraft the first time, but after attempting a second take off he lost control and crashed roughly 350 feet south of the runway.
Jeff Ostrander, who runs the flight school at the airport said he was there as the plan came crashing to the ground. Ostrander said during that second take off is when he and another co-worker noticed something wasn't right.
"He had been doing some practicing with the aircraft, taxing up and down the runway to become familiar with the ground handling characteristics," Ostrander said. "I think what probably happened is a narrow dynamic stall where in the wing is held at such angle to the wind that no longer provides normal lift and airplanes do not fly in that condition.
Bowker was pronounced dead at the scene. No one else was injured in the crash.
Ostrander said the victim's wife was in town with him but that she was not there during the incident. She placed a candle for her husband where the crash happened.
The Federal Aviation Administration is reviewing the crash, according to a release.
