Primary finding
Probable cause
Collision with terrain while maneuvering for undetermined reasons.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) representatives and investigating police agencies, the airplane was stolen from the owner's hangar. The registered owner of the airplane reported that he last flew the airplane on November 7, 2008. After completing the flight, the airplane was moved to his hangar. On November 12, 2008, a witness observed the airplane circling, at a low altitude. Shortly thereafter, police received reports of a downed airplane in the general area of the earlier sighting. Later that day the airplane was found abandoned. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall and fuselage. At the time of this report, the pilot has not been located or identified, and the purpose of the unauthorized flight is not known.
Source record
Factual narrative
According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) representatives, the Cessna 182S airplane was stolen from the owner's hangar at the Orcas Island Airport (KORS), East Sound, Washington. The registered owner of the airplane reported that he last flew the airplane on November 7, 2008. After completing the flight, the airplane was moved to his hangar. On November 12, 2008, about 0900, a witness observed the airplane circling, at a low altitude, approximately nine miles south of White Swan, Washington. Shortly thereafter, at 0917, Yakama Nations Tribal Police received reports of a downed airplane in the general area of the earlier sighting. Approximately 30 minutes later the airplane was found abandoned. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall and fuselage. At the time of this report, the pilot has not been located or identified, and the purpose of the unauthorized flight is not known.