UPDATE: Friday, July 1

A University of Michigan basketball recruit is waking up from his coma after surviving a plane crash that killed his father and stepmother.

16-year-old Austin Hatch has been in a drug-induced coma at a hospital in Traverse City all week.

Friday his family said he remains stable, and has improved breathing function.

Austin’s father, Dr. Steven Hatch who is a native of Saginaw, was piloting the plane when it crashed in Charlevoix last week. 

It was the second crash Austin had survived. 

In 2003, he lost his mother, brother and sister in a crash piloted by his father.

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Federal aviation officials are trying to determine what caused a single-engine plane to crash in Charlevoix last Friday. But it wasn't the first time the pilot had been in a deadly crash. Pilot Dr. Stephen Hatch lost several family members in a plane crash 8 years ago. Ironically this latest crash ended in a similar way.

In 2003, the Hatch family was flying home to Indiana from their vacation home in northern Michigan. In the rain and low visibility, Dr. Steven Hatch was trying to land in Fort Wayne when he hit a power pole. That night Dr. Hatch lost his wife, son and daughter.  He and his son, Austin, were the only survivors.

A federal aviation study claimed Dr. Hatch was partially responsible for their deaths.

Now we fast forward to this past Friday, when tragedy struck again on roughly the same route. Dr. Hatch was flying the plane when it crashed into a house near Charlevoix. This time he didn't survive and neither did his second wife, Kim.

Frankenmuth airport manager Jim Pollick says Dr. Hatch would have had to have a bi-annual review as all pilots do, to keep his license. After a crash, the Federal Aviation Administration has to determine whether it was an accident or an incident. Then an investigation must take place. From there the FAA will determine whether or not the pilot keeps his license.

The National Transportation Safety Board still doesn't know what caused the plane to crash, but is expected to release more details later this week.

Austin was critically injured and is currently in a drug-induced coma at Munson Medical Center near Traverse City, according to the Journal Gazette out of Fort Wayne.

Austin Hatch is a University of Michigan basketball recruit. U of M head coach John Beilein states, "We are saddened to hear about another tragedy that has affected the Hatch family, Austin needs as much support right now as possible and I know he will be in the thoughts and prayers of the Michigan family during this difficult time."

Tuesday, Beilein sent the following letter out to U of M basketball fans and supporters of Michgian Athletics:

"Our basketball program and the Michigan community were saddened to hear about the tragedy that affected the Hatch family late Friday evening. Austin needs as much support right now as possible and he continues to be in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

We are grateful that the NCAA has relaxed some of the contact restrictions currently in place to accommodate this unique set of circumstances for our coaches. We appreciate that they and Big Ten Office are working with us throughout this situation. Both groups have been in communication with our compliance office and continue to provide valuable insight on a daily basis.

The outpouring of support from our Michigan faithful, coaches, administrators and fans across the country has been overwhelming. We are thankful for all the support that has been offered to the Hatch family. We appreciate that the NCAA will continue to work with us and act in the best interest of everyone involved.

Thanks for your continued prayers for Austin and the Hatch family." 

NBC25's sister station, 7&4 News, reports the family's two dogs were also on the plane. One was killed on impact, the other was found blocks from the crash scene. Amazingly, that dog survived.

Dr. Stephen Hatch was a Saginaw native.