Missing Washington Pilot Found Dead in Plane Crash Site in Heavily Forested Area

On Monday, May 20, search and rescue crews made the tragic discovery of a missing pilot who had been the subject of a massive search effort. The pilot, identified as Jerry Riedinger, 69, from Issaquah, Washington, was found dead at the site of his crashed aircraft near North Bend. The wreckage was located in a heavily forested area, specifically near Humpback Mountain west of Snoqualmie Pass.

Reported Missing by Wife

Riedinger's wife reported him missing on Sunday evening after he failed to reach his intended destination of Ephrata. His departure from Arlington Municipal Airport around 4:30 p.m. and subsequent failure to arrive at the scheduled time prompted the report. The experienced airshow pilot was the sole occupant of his 2001 Extra Flugzeugbau 300/L at the time of the crash.

Over 220 individuals, comprising search and rescue teams, worked tirelessly to locate the downed aircraft. They utilized cellphone and flight data to pinpoint the crash site off I-90. The efforts of these dedicated teams were crucial in ultimately finding the wreckage and bringing closure to the situation.

Condolences and Ongoing Investigation

The Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT) expressed its deepest sympathies to the Riedinger family following the unfortunate discovery. The agency also lauded the commitment and expertise of all those who contributed their time and resources to the search mission.

The King County Sheriff's Office and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will continue the investigation into the crash. Although the cause is yet to be determined, Tom Peterson, WSDOT Air Search and Rescue Coordinator, suggested that inclement weather may have played a role. He emphasized the capability of the aircraft and the pilot's experience, making the incident all the more perplexing.

As the investigation into this tragic event continues, authorities seek to unravel the circumstances that led to the untimely death of Jerry Riedinger, an accomplished and respected member of the aviation community.