2 AIRLINERS CRASH, FALL INTO STATE LAKE.

Neenah (AP) -- Two passenger planes reportedly carrying a total of 13 persons collided in the air over Lake Winnebago and plunged into the water today, the Federal Aviation Authority office here reported.
The office said one body was recovered immediately and that wreckage of two planes was lying in about 15 feet of water.
(The Winnebago County coroner's office told United Press International that 13 persons died in the crash.)
Eight persons were believed to be on the Air Wisconsin plane, which was flying from Sheboygan to Appleton and five were on the North Central plane, on a flight from Green Bay to Oshkosh.
The Air Wisconsin plane was a DeHaviland Otter and the North Central craft a Convair. Both are turboprops.
ROBERT PITTS JR. 11, Neenah, told authorities he saw a red-colored explosion in the sky about five miles east of, the Neenah shore. He and a 10-year old companion said they saw a large airplane fall into the lake with smoke and flames coming from the plane before it hit the water.
In Minneapolis, DEL DRUMM, director of public relations for North Central, said Flight 290 left Green Bay at 10:32 a.m. headed for Oshkosh.
He said the plane had clearance to land from the Oshkosh tower, but was shortly thereafter reported missing by the tower.
The North Central flilght oridinated in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and had a crew of three and two passengers.
The Air Wisconssin plane involved was on Flight 671.
The crash scene was three miles west of Waverly Beach between Menasha and Appleton. Officers were sending for divers, and many boats were converging on the area, including one from the U.S. Coast Guard. Some wreckage was above the water.
The crash was believed to have occurred about 10:45 a. m. Rescue boats began picking up debris about 11:20 a.m.
Air Wisconsin is a commuter line operating in the state and North Central is a major regional carrier.
DRUMM would say only that the two North Central passengers were not from the Midwest. He said the names of the crew would not be released until next of kin are notified.
DRUMM said the plane normally goes into the Upper Peninsula but was grounded at Green Bay Wednesday night because of bad weather.

The Capital Times Madison Wisconsin 1972-06-29
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Researched and Transcribed by Stu Beitler. Thank you, Stu!