Probable cause
The cause of the accident is undetermined as the airplane has not been located and remains missing.
NTSB analysis
The pilot departed on the cross-country flight in the experimental airplane without filing either an instrument or visual flight plan. The route of flight would have taken him over high mountain passes, which were obscured by clouds at the time. An alert notice (ALNOT) was issued after family members reported that he had not arrived at his planned destination. A search and rescue mission was subsequently initiated, and for the following 6 days multiple search sorties were performed. To date, the airplane has not been found.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR12FAMS1 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 23, 2012
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Tonasket, Washington
- Highest injury
- Fatal
- Fatal injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Amateur-built GLASAIR
- N-number
- N743CA
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2008
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.