Cessna175

The airplane encountered obstacles during a forced landing at about 1240 Pacific time. The private pilot and passenger/owner were not injured. Visual conditions prevailed. The owner had just purchased the airplane, and was returning to his home field. After taking off and climbing to 1500 feet, the engine began to run rough and surge, and smoke appeared from the cowling. The pilot successfully landed on a gravel road, but the wings contacted trees at the edge of the road resulting in substantial damage.

At 20:15 EST, a Cessna 175 was reported missing by a representative of the pilots family. The aircraft has been presumed destroyed, and the pilot is presumed to have been fatally injured. The flight departed Iron County Airport, Crystal Falls, Mich., at 15:15 EST and was presumed to be en route to Cherry Capital Airport, Traverse City, Mich., for fuel and then to Oakland/Troy Airport. Airports in the area reported cold temperatures and ceilings ranging from sky clear to 700 feet….