A White Pigeon man was one of three people involved in an airplane crash over the weekend in Branch County.
Patrick Murphy was at the control of the single-engine plane Saturday when it belly crashed at Branch County Regional Airport in Coldwater. Other occupants were flight instructor Edwin Shumway of Tekonsha and rear-seat passenger Richard Crepas of Kalamazoo.
Authorities said the plane lost power shortly after takeoff and as it reached an altitude of about 300 feet. The plane dropped immediately and slammed to the ground, sliding for about 250 yards before coming to a stop, authorities said.
The three occupants were not seriously injured and declined treatment beyond what was rendered at the scene.