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Michigan couple killed in powered parachute crash

Posted August 25, 2012 9:00 am

Associated Press

GOLDEN TOWNSHIP, Mich. — Police in West Michigan say a couple died when their powered parachute crashed into sand dunes.

According to the Oceana County sheriff's office, 66-year-old Henry Austin was flying the aircraft and his wife, Carol Austin, was riding in the passenger seat during the crash Friday evening at Silver Lake State Park.

The Ludington Daily News reports the accident happened shortly after 6 p.m. in an area known as "test hill" in Golden Township.

Sheriff's Lt. Craig Mast says both victims were killed on impact. The Austins lived in Shelby.

The Muskegon Chronicle reports autopsies will be performed in Grand Rapids on Saturday following Federal Aviation Administration protocols.

Henry Austin trained dozens of people how to fly powered parachutes through the Shelby Paraflite School, the business he owned with his wife.

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