Search for missing Twin Cities pilot suspended

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The North Shore search for missing pilot Mike Bratlie is being suspended, according to the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center and the Civil Air Patrol.

Bratlie, 67, of Lakeville, Minn., went missing on June 8 during what was expected to be a South St. Paul-to-Duluth-and-back flight to break in a new engine in his Piper PA-31 Navajo twin-engine plane. The search focused on the Silver Bay area of Lake County and Lake Superior, where Bratlie was last detected by radar and cell phone signals.

Air Patrol crews from Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois and ground teams searched for 13 days, often with up to 10 search planes and four ground teams. On some days the search also included helicopters from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and Minnesota State Patrol and boat search teams from St Louis County Rescue Squad, Cook County Sheriff’s Office and Lake County Sheriff’s Office.

Over 2,000 square miles were searched, according to the Civil Air Patrol announcement, and targeted areas were searched multiple times. Civil Air Patrol members volunteered 641 person-days and flew 625 flight-hours (about 62,000 flight miles).

The search was aided by numerous state and local agencies, organizations and private businesses.

Anyone who thinks they have found the aircraft should call 911.

Tags: lake county, news