EMILY, Minn. — An ultralight pilot who promised a swan’e eye view over northern Minnesota lakes died when the plane crashed in the woods. So too did a passenger. The Crow Wing County sheriff identified the victims as Douglas Arnold Johnson, 61, of Emily, and a 58-year-old passenger, Lee Cemensky, 55, of Las Vegas, Nevada. The craft, a 529-pound amphibious Cygnet, took off from Minnie Lake 7 p.m. on a 30-minute tour. Searchers found the wreckage northwest of Emily about 8:30.
Wheels for land, pontoons for water. For $95 the Fly the Swan tour offered “a bird’s eye view of the lakes and land and the experience of touching down on the water.” The craft, a 2010 model Cygnet, has been as sold either as a kit or factory-assembled. Cruising speed: 37 mph but could go 60.