A Grand Rapids pilot was rescued by a witness after his plane broke through the ice of Murray Lake and began to sink.

The incident happened Saturday afternoon around 12:30 p.m.

The Kent County Sheriff's Department says the 2008 American Legend AL3C aircraft broke through the ice just before takeoff.

WOOD-TV reports the plane was equipped with "ski landing gear."

The pilot, James Bakeman, 59, got out of the plane and was rescued by a witness who used a kayak to take him to shore, deputies said.

The investigation will be conducted by the FAA.

Video courtesy ABC News/WZZM