DETROIT (AP) - The body of a 61-year-old man was found Wednesday on a runway at a small municipal airport on Detroit’s east side.
An air traffic controller at Coleman A. Young International Airport noticed an object around noon and notified airport security. Security officers later contacted police.
It was not clear Wednesday how the man got onto the airport grounds and the runway, Detroit police Sgt. Adam Madera said.
No signs of trauma were visible on his body. An autopsy was scheduled to determine how the man died. His name was not immediately released and police were trying to locate his relatives.
The man did not work at the airport, Madera said.
The airport, better known as City Airport, has two runways and is separated by surrounding neighborhoods by chain-link fencing.
Industrial properties and mostly vacant lots are along the airport’s western edge. A cemetery sits next to it. Homes are also in the area.
Pro Air was the last commercial carrier to fly out of the airport when it stopped service in 2000. Now, the airport primarily handles air cargo flights. About 25 flights go in and out daily, airport director Jason Watt said.
Located on 260 acres, efforts to expand the airport have failed in recent years. The city has considered privatizing it to save money.
Detroit-bound passenger flights currently use Detroit Metropolitan Airport, which is in the suburb of Romulus.
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