KITTITAS COUNTY, Wash. — UPDATE, 10:39 a.m.
The Grant County Sheriff’s Office says the plane has been found on the Kittitas County side of the Columbia River near a wind farm.
The crash was found shortly after 9 a.m. Wednesday morning.
Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the adult female pilot died from the crash.
The National Transportation Safety Bureau is investigating the cause of the crash.
ORIGINAL STORY:
The search is underway for a reported missing light plane in Grant County.
According to the Grant County Sheriff’s Office, the plane left the Yakima Air Terminal around 3:45 p.m. Tuesday headed toward the Lake Chelan Airport. It was reported missing around 11 p.m.
The Grant County Sheriff’s Office and Kittitas County Deputies are using drones and boats to search along the Columbia River near the Gorge Amphitheater.
According to the officials, the plane was last recorded in the hills between Ellensburg and the Columbia River. The office identified the plane as a Cessna Skyhawk.
The pilot is reportedly the only person onboard.
The plane has not been located.
At 3:45 a.m., the Grant County Sheriff’s Office announced it was suspending search efforts for the night due to safety concerns and would resume in the morning.
The Washington State Department of Transportation says anyone who thinks they saw or heard the plane Tuesday or may have spotted anything in the area, call the State Emergency Operations Center at 800-258-5990.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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