A pilot who went missing on Friday has been found deceased after his small aircraft was located underwater in the Kawartha Lakes area, according to Ontario Provincial Police.
In a news release Wednesday, the OPP stated that debris from the aircraft was recovered from Wolfe Lake in Queen Elizabeth II Wildlands Provincial Park, northwest of Peterborough, Ont., by search crews on Monday, and the plane itself was discovered submerged on Tuesday.
Police have confirmed that the pilot is deceased. Authorities are currently organizing a plan for recovering the aircraft.
The pilot, identified as David, 73, was reported missing after he didn’t return to Oshawa Executive Airport on Friday morning. He had taken off in a home-built plane at 8:30 a. m. and was expected back by 9:30 a. m., according to Durham Regional Police. His last known location was near Balsam Lake close to Kirkfield.
Family members reported him missing, police said.
An extensive search operation involved the Trenton Joint Rescue Coordination Centre, which oversees air and marine rescue efforts across Ontario, along with the OPP and its City of Kawartha Lakes detachment, among other agencies.
Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources assisted in locating both the aircraft and the pilot, police noted.
“The OPP extends its sincere condolences to the pilot’s family and loved ones and thanks members of the public who provided information, support and assistance throughout the search effort,” police said.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is looking into what caused the crash. This federal agency investigates incidents involving air travel as well as marine, pipeline, and rail matters.
The TSB mentioned that they’re sending a team of investigators near Minden Hills, Ont., to look into an accident involving a privately registered small airplane.
Durham police had only shared his first name but mentioned he was an experienced pilot who typically flew around areas south of Kawartha Lakes municipality and north of Lake Scugog.
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