(9-14-23) On Thursday, September 14th, 2023 at approximately 3:52 PM First Responders involved in the search and rescue efforts were notified of the location of airplane down in a wooded area, off of M-51 North near Elm St. First Responders were guided to the location of a downed airplane by Michigan State Police Aviation Unit. Once, on scene Officers located the downed aircraft and confirmed it was a silver Sonex Airplane with Tail Number N569SX. Officers also confirmed the pilot, Richard Martin (82 years old), was with the airplane and deceased. At this time Investigators are continuing the investigation into what caused Mr. Martin’s plane to crash.

Dowagiac Police would like to thank the following agencies for their assistance in the search and rescue efforts: Dowagiac Fire Department, Cass County Sheriff’s Office, Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office, Lawrence Township Fire Department, Michigan State Police, Civilian Air Patrol, Dowagiac Municipal Airport, Federal Aviation Administration, Air Force Rescue Coordination Center and the community members across the state that assisted by air and land.

If you have any additional information that may assist this investigation please contact the Dowagiac Police Department at (269)-782-9743.

Steven L. Grinnewald
Director of Public Safety
City of Dowagiac

(9-11-23) On Sunday, September 10th, 2023 at approximately 8:13 PM, Dowagiac Police were dispatched to the Dowagiac Municipal Airport for a missing pilot, Richard Martin (82 years old), and Martin’s Sonex Plane; Tail Number N569SX.

Dowagiac Municipal Airport Manager, reported to officers Mr. Martin regularly flies his plane for approximately 1-2 hours on Sunday Mornings. Martin reportedly took off from the Dowagiac Municipal Airport at around 11 AM on Sunday, September 10th, 2023. A family member of Martin’s waited for Martin to return however, after several hours Martin had not returned.

At this time Dowagiac Police with assistance from the Michigan State Police, Federal Aviation Administration, Civil Air Patrol, and South Bend Air Traffic Control are still attempting to find leads that may lead to the location of Mr. Martin and his Sonex Plane.

Please see attached photos of Richard Martin and his plane.

This incident remains under investigation by Dowagiac Police. Anyone with information is asked to call the Dowagiac Police Department at (269)-782-9743, or the Cass County Tip Line at 1-(800)-462-9328.