Search for missing plane and passengers concludes after aircraft wreckage discovered near Aeneas Valley

OLYMPIA – The search for a missing plane and passengers concluded Sunday evening, Oct. 11 after search and rescue teams with the Washington State Department of Transportation located the aircraft wreckage in Aeneas Valley near Tonasket.

The pilot, 61-year-old Nicholas Grachanin and passenger Jim Merik were found deceased inside the aircraft.

The aircraft departed Penticton, British Columbia, enroute to Grangeville, Idaho, on Saturday, Oct. 10. After the pilot lost communication with Seattle Center air traffic control, the pilot’s daughter contacted the Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office to report the aircraft and occupants missing.

WSDOT Aviation Emergency Services team immediately began searching for the aircraft using its last known radar locations between Oroville and Okanogan, using cell phone forensics to help identify potential search areas. Additional ground search resources from the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation were contacted to assist with the effort.

WSDOT and assisting agencies located the wreckage and the two occupants at approximately 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 11. The families have been notified of today’s findings.

“On behalf of the search and rescue team, WSDOT extends our sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives,” said WSDOT Air Search and Rescue Coordinator and Incident Commander Tom Peterson. “We are thankful to everyone who contributed their time, expertise and resources to this search effort.”

Agencies and personnel that assisted with the search included the Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office, Okanogan County Emergency Management, Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office air support unit, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation and WSDOT personnel.

WSDOT, by statute (RCW 47.68.380) is charged with the coordination and management of aerial search and rescue within the state.

This concludes WSDOT’s involvement in the mission. Further information will be released by the Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office. Interested media can contact Sheriff Jodie Barcus at 509-422-7200, option 4. Media questions about any investigation of cause can be directed to the National Transportation Safety Board.

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