ELLENSBURG, WA – Kittitas County authorities located the crash site of a small plane near Whiskey Dick Mountain on Wednesday morning after an overnight search. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, was found deceased.

The aircraft had been en route from Yakima to Chelan when it was reported missing Tuesday night. Kittitas County deputies, along with Search and Kittitas County Search & Rescue, conducted a search based on the plane’s last known location and planned flight path. Efforts extended into the early morning hours, with the Grant County Sheriff’s Office searched on the east side of the Columbia River.

At approximately 9 a.m., a Life Flight helicopter assisted in locating the wreckage near Whiskey Dick Mountain. The Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office is coordinating with the county coroner to recover the pilot. The National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the cause of the crash.

Sheriff Myers expressed condolences to the pilot’s family and appreciation for those involved in the search efforts.