Alcona County plane crash kills 81-year-old Ossineke pilot

An 81-year-old Ossineke pilot was killed in a single-engine plane crash Saturday evening in Alcona County.

The Alcona County Sheriff's Office is investigating the crash, which happened just before 7 p.m. Oct. 31 along U.S. 23 near Shaw Road, north of Harrisville.

Police identified the pilot as Stephen Bourgoin. First responders found him dead, and he was the only person aboard.

The cause was not known. The Federal Aviation Administration is also investigating.

Who can bring a wrongful death claim after a Michigan plane crash?

The personal representative of the deceased person's estate brings a Michigan wrongful death lawsuit. Under MCL 600.2922, the claim requires a death caused by another party's wrongful act, neglect or fault and an underlying claim the person could have pursued if they had survived.

Depending on the evidence, compensation can include reasonable medical, funeral and burial expenses for which the estate is responsible, conscious pain and suffering between injury and death and eligible survivors' loss of financial support and companionship.

Filing deadlines depend on the underlying claim. Michigan Legal Center explains why families should have those dates reviewed in its discussion of Michigan wrongful death deadlines.

Get help from Michigan Legal Center

Michigan Legal Center: the Law Offices of Christopher J. Trainor & Associates reviews wrongful death matters involving alleged negligence.

If a loved one died in a plane crash, contact Michigan Legal Center to ask whether legal help is available for your situation.

There is no attorney fee unless money is recovered for you. Case costs and fee terms are governed by the written fee agreement.