Accident Details
On February 12, 2020, about 1659 Pacific standard time, a Luscombe 8A airplane, N77875, was presumed destroyed after going missing over the Pacific Ocean. The pilot has not been located. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
The airplane departed Columbia Gorge Regional Airport (KDLS) in The Dalles Port, Washington, about 1600 en route to an unknown destination. No flight plan was filed.
Search Efforts
On February 14, 2020, approximately 1205, a family member reported the pilot and airplane missing. Later that day, a Federal Aviation Administration Alert Notice (ALNOT) was issued, and a search commenced. The search was conducted by the Civil Air Patrol, US Coast Guard, Klickitat County Sheriff's Office, and Lane County Sheriff's Office.
Representatives from the Klickitat County Sheriff’s Office reported that the airplane’s last known position was over the Pacific Ocean about 57 miles west of the coastline. Subsequent reports indicated a radar track, believed to be that of the missing airplane, showed a westbound heading before the track ended. The last radar return was at 1659, about 57 miles west of the Oregon shoreline at coordinates 43:45:39N, 125:30:42W.
The US Coast Guard conducted a search of the area surrounding the last known position, but neither the pilot nor debris was located. On February 15, 2020, land and sea-based searches were suspended.
Aircraft Information
The missing airplane, a 1946 Luscombe 8A, was not equipped with an electrical system or transponder.