Missing Pilot Found Dead After Plane Crash Near Grant-Kittitas County line

A search for a missing pilot ended in tragedy Wednesday morning after authorities located the wreckage of a small plane near Whiskey Dick Mountain.

The Cessna Skyhawk was en route from Yakima to Chelan when it disappeared from radar Tuesday evening. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) alerted local authorities around 9 p.m., prompting an extensive search across Kittitas and Grant counties.

Search and rescue teams deployed ATVs, drones, helicopters, and marine units to scour the rugged terrain and the Columbia River. Despite their efforts, dangerous conditions forced them to pause operations around 3 a.m. The search resumed at daylight, and by 9 a.m., a Life Flight helicopter located the crash site, guiding ground teams to the wreckage.

The pilot, who was the sole occupant of the plane, was found deceased. Her identity has not yet been released, and the cause of the crash remains unknown. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is now leading the investigation.

Authorities expressed condolences to the pilot’s family and gratitude to the trained volunteers who assisted in the search. The Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office encourages those interested in search and rescue efforts to undergo proper training to ensure safety and efficiency during future missions.