The Trenton Joint Rescue Coordination Centre has confirmed that a home-built plane, which went missing last week after departing from Oshawa, Ontario, has been located; however, the 73-year-old pilot who was flying the aircraft remains unaccounted for. The plane was discovered on Wolf Lake within the boundaries of Queen Elizabeth II Provincial Park, situated in the Kawartha Lakes region.

Following the discovery of the aircraft, the Ontario Provincial Police have taken over the investigation, treating it as a missing person’s case. Search and rescue units will continue to assist in the efforts to locate the missing pilot, identified only by the first name, David.

A substantial search operation commenced on Friday, after the plane took off from Oshawa Airport at 8:30 a.m. and failed to return as scheduled by 9:30 a.m. The urgency of the situation prompted local law enforcement and search teams to mobilize quickly in hopes of finding both the plane and its pilot.

According to the Durham regional police, David is recognized as an experienced pilot, regularly flying in the vicinity that includes areas south of Kawartha Lakes and north of Lake Scugog. Descriptions of the missing aircraft indicate it is home-built, featuring a blue and yellow color scheme, with the identification letters “FOFZ” marked on its tail.

The case highlights the ongoing risks associated with private aviation and the importance of safety regulations. As search efforts continue, the community is urged to provide any information that may assist in locating David, ensuring all avenues are explored in this ongoing investigation.