What was supposed to be just the end of another busy day for four businessmen and two pilots turned to terror and tragedy moments later.
Having climbed aboard the small jet airplane, Mr. Donald W. Andrews did not take off his topcoat because it was still cold in the cabin of the plane. He buckled his seat belt and opened his briefcase. As he began reading reports, the jet began its takeoff down the runway through a snowstorm, heading back to Michigan. “It seemed like a normal takeoff,” he said later, “except we ended up in Lake Michigan!”
The small jet crashed through the ice about 80 yards south of the runway. “Suddenly I was aware that we were bouncing and sliding along the ice,” he said. “Then we came to a stop... in the water. I jumped up, stripped off my topcoat and suit coat, because I’m a poor swimmer, opened the emergency door, and climbed onto the wing.”
As the plane slowly sank into the icy water, Mr. Andrews and three others had to hang onto the tail section. “I have never been in water so cold before,” he said. “Almost immediately my arms and legs became numb, and I knew I was in trouble.”
The four men who survived the crash of the plane were still in real difficulty. All of them were in water so cold that they could freeze to death in minutes. The plane which was their only support was almost completely under water. Only part of the tail was still above water for them to hang onto.
What a terrible situation to be in! They knew that they were unable to do anything for themselves in that water. “It was the longest period of time I have ever spent in my life,” said Mr. Andrews. “It was so cold my arms and legs were completely numb with no strength in them.”
Those who are still lost in their sins are in difficulty like these four men were. There is no way they can help themselves; they need the help of Another. God has said in the Bible, “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” Romans 5:66For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. (Romans 5:6).
The Lord Jesus Christ has provided a way of escape for those who will trust in Him. “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” John 14:66Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6). For those men in the icy waters of Lake Michigan hanging onto a plane that was just about to sink, there was the need for help NOW! For those still in their sins, God’s Word says, “Behold, NOW is the accepted time; behold, NOW is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:22(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) (2 Corinthians 6:2).
“Just as the tail was going under and I was on my back floating, I saw the helicopter,” reported Mr. Andrews. “What a fantastic sight! It seemed like I was in the water a long time, but from the time we hit until the time the rescuers got there, it couldn’t have been more than 10 or 12 minutes.”
One of the rescuers in the helicopter said later, “We saw four of the six men in the water and we tossed a raft to them. Three of them managed to get in, but the fourth began to sink. That’s when I jumped in to save him.”
The four men were finally rescued by a pontoon-equipped helicopter rescue squad which landed on the water beside the raft. Three of the men were able to climb onto the pontoon, and the one who had begun to sink was picked up in a harness as the helicopter hovered in the air. All were quickly flown to land and then were transferred to a hospital for treatment. All four recovered.
Two of the six men on the jet did not survive the crash. They did not live through the initial impact. One moment they were sitting in the plane looking forward to getting home, and the next moment they were in eternity. For those who have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as their own Saviour, they would suddenly be in heaven with Him. For those who have not accepted Him as their Saviour, we know from God’s Word, the Bible, that “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:2323For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23)), and “neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:1212Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12). Believe on Him now; accept Him as your own Saviour and know for sure that you are prepared to meet your God (Amos 4:1212Therefore thus will I do unto thee, O Israel: and because I will do this unto thee, prepare to meet thy God, O Israel. (Amos 4:12)).
ML-03/17/1991