HARBOR BEACH -- Update: July 28th,
For the first time since his plane crashed into Lake Huron, Michael Trapp has spoken about the incident. Tune into NBC25 News at 6:00 p.m. for the full report.
Update: July 28th,
Michael Trapp is planning on speaking with NBC25 Thursday at 1:00 p.m. Watch it live here: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/covenant-healthcare.
It's a pilot's worst nightmare.
New York resident Michael Trapp was flying a Cessna 150 from Gouverneur, New York to Eau Claire, Wisconsin Tuesday night when his engine stalled over Lake Huron.
He thought he ran out of gas and called the Lansing Flight Service Station for help.
“Listen, I’ve got a problem with my engine and I’m going to need you guys to take care of me when I hit the water because I think I’m going down,” said Trapp.
Trapp suspects ice got into his carburetor.
Moments later he got the engine going, but by then it was too late.
He crashed 17 miles east of Harbor Beach.
“As soon as the wheels hit I went head over heals. The windshield blew in my face, the water came in. Once the commotion stopped I was under water, and I undid my seat belt and swam out. I grabbed hold of the elevator, that's the part of the back of the plane, and it took 20 seconds and it was gone,” said Trapp.
Trapp treaded water in ten foot waves without a life vest for nearly 18 hours in 70 degree water.
Even at that temperature, according to the U.S. Search and Rescue Task Force, Trapp should have been been unconscious after anywhere from 7 to 12 hours, and due to the release of heat energy treading water or swimming can actually decrease survival time by as much as 50%.
“It would have been possible he'd have still made it, but we'd have had a higher concern for hypothermia. He's lucky to be here. This is an unusual situation here,” said Maurice Pendle with the U.S. Coast Guard.
Trapp says he passed the time by looking at the stars and thinking about what's most important in life.
“There are a lot of people that depend on me. I persevered and just kept going and kept going, and there are a lot of things I want to do yet. I’m 42 years old. I’m not ready to give up yet,” said Trapp.
And give up he didn't. Trapp used everything he could to get the attention of passing fishing boats.
“I had my wallet stuck to my underwear, so I got the shiniest credit card out and I was trying to flash them with that. They said they never saw it, but they saw me wave a sock in the air,” said Trapp.
That socked saved his life.
The Coast Guard retrieved the pilot from the fishing boat and returned him to land.
One of the rescuers says Trapp's eyes were "starting to shut," and it appeared he was "on his last leg," when they pulled him from the water.
Greg Veenstra snapped a picture of Trapp when he was brought ashore.
Despite the exhaustion he was in good spirits.
"He was joking he didn't want his wife to spend his life insurance money, so he felt he should survive the night...great sense of humor," said Veenstra.
And when asked if he wanted water he said, "No thanks, I had plenty last night."
Trapp was transferred to Covenant HealthCare around 3 p.m. Wednesday from Harbor Beach Community Hospital and he is listed in good condition.
"Feeling good. Really sore from treading water. Anxious to see family,” said Trapp.
And it's that thought of embracing his family once again that helped him defy the odds.
Trapp says once his family arrives at Covenant HealthCare Thursday he'll be ready to do an on-camera interview with NBC25.
