A missing pilot was tragically discovered deceased this week after search teams located his submerged aircraft in the Kawartha Lakes area, announced the Ontario Provincial Police. The wreckage of the plane was recovered from Wolfe Lake in Queen Elizabeth II Wildlands Provincial Park on Monday, with the aircraft itself found underwater in the lake the following day. Authorities have confirmed the pilot’s death and are now arranging a plan to retrieve the plane.
The pilot, referred to as David and aged 73, was reported missing when he failed to return to Oshawa Executive Airport on Friday morning. Departing in a self-built aircraft at 8:30 a.m., he was due back by 9:30 a.m., as reported by the Durham Regional Police. Last seen near Kirkfield in the Balsam Lake region, family members raised the alarm when he did not return as scheduled.
A comprehensive search effort, involving the Trenton Joint Rescue Coordination Centre, Ontario Provincial Police, and City of Kawartha Lakes detachment, among other agencies, was conducted to locate the missing pilot. The Ministry of Natural Resources in Ontario also assisted in locating both the aircraft and the pilot.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash. The TSB has dispatched a team of investigators to Minden Hills, Ontario, to probe the incident involving the privately registered small plane. Durham police had previously identified the pilot by his first name only, describing him as a seasoned aviator known to frequent the area south of Kawartha Lakes and north of Lake Scugog.
The Ontario Provincial Police expressed their condolences to the pilot’s family and appreciated the public’s support and assistance during the search operation.