BAY CITY, MI -- An Arkansas man suffered life-threatening injuries in a Bay City plane crash Saturday evening, according to police.

The downed aircraft at James Clements Airport was reported around 8:40 p.m. on Saturday, July 6. Bay City Public Safety officers responded to the scene.

The pilot, a 27-year-old Arkansas man, was conscious with life-threatening injuries when officers arrived, according to the Bay City Department of Public Safety. The small single-engine aircraft was found with heavy damage and leaking fuel, but was not on fire.

Fire Operations personnel used the Jaws of Life to free the pilot from the aircraft and McLaren Bay Region paramedics treated him at the scene.

A helicopter from Covenant Hospital in Saginaw was used to transport the pilot to Covenant Hospital for further treatment.

The pilot was the only only occupant of the aircraft.

The airport will be temporarily closed until investigators from the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board arrive to investigate the incident.

The James Clements Airport could not be immediately reached for comment.

The Michigan State Police and Bay County Sheriff’s Office also assisted with the initial response and first aid treatment.

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