ALPENA — On March 13, 1986, Republic Airlines flight 1746 (operated by Simmons Airlines) departed Detroit Metropolitan Airport at 8:50 p.m.

The aircraft was a twin turboprop engine Embraer Bandeirante bound for Sault Ste. Marie International Airport, with a stopover at Alpena County Regional Airport. On board, a crew of two, with seven commercial passengers.

At 9:24 p.m., Flight 1746 was handed over to Saginaw aircraft control services.

Later, Wurtsmith Air Force Base control cleared the flight into Alpena’s Runway No. 1.

Alpena’s aircraft weather report stated visibility had dropped from a half-mile to three-eighths of a mile.

The Republic pilot informed Alpena they would prepare to land within five minutes required refueling.

As Flight 1746 approached Alpena, they prepared for an Instrument Landing System. The approach was aborted at 10:42 p.m.

The flight elevated to return for a second approach.

During that time period, airport personnel exited their building to determine if they could see the flight. They heard an aircraft, but could not see it.

At 10:46 p.m., Alpena control attempted to inform the flight captain visibility had dropped to a quarter of a mile, below an ILS approach. That was communicated over an emergency frequency.

However, no contact was made with the flight.

At 10:56 p.m., the flight crew acknowledged radar services would be terminated.

That would be the last verbal contact with Flight 1746.

Near 11:10 p.m., a motorist driving south of the airport encountered two individuals coming out of an area near Indian Reserve Road. They informed the driver an aircraft crash occurred. Subsequently, they arrived at the airport at 11:15 p.m. Airport authorities promptly contacted public safety and rescue personnel of the tragic crash.

The crash site was 1.5 miles from Runway No. 1. The impact created a 500-foot swath. The area was heavily wooded, with 2-plus feet of snow.

Flight 1746 claimed the life of the flight’s copilot and two passengers bound for Sault Ste. Marie. The aircraft was completely destroyed and valued at the time at $800,000.

The National Transportation Safety Administration’s February 1987 investigative report attributed the crash to poor visibility, difficulty communicating weather changes to the flight, and a low glide slope approach.

Jeffrey D. Brasie is a retired health care CEO and frequently writes historical feature stories and op-eds. He is a former Alpena resident and resides in suburban Detroit.