Two killed in plane crash near Tonasket

TONASKET — Two people were found dead Sunday, Oct. 11, after search and rescue crews located the wreckage of a missing aircraft in Aeneas Valley near Tonasket, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation.

The pilot, 61-year-old Nicholas Grachanin, and passenger Jim Merik were found deceased inside the aircraft. Their families have been notified.

The 1976 Piper Cub aircraft departed Penticton, British Columbia, on Saturday, Oct. 10, bound for Grangeville, Idaho. The pilot lost communication with Seattle Center air traffic control during the flight.

Grachanin's daughter subsequently contacted the Okanogan County Sheriff's Office to report the aircraft and its occupants missing.

WSDOT Air Search and Rescue teams began searching Saturday evening, focusing on the aircraft's last known radar locations between Oroville and Okanogan. Search crews also used cell phone forensic information to identify potential search areas.

No distress signals were received overnight, according to WSDOT.

Search operations continued Sunday with assistance from multiple agencies. Crews located the wreckage and both occupants at approximately 4:30 p.m. in Aeneas Valley, bringing the search to a close.

“On behalf of the search and rescue team, WSDOT extends our sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives,” said WSDOT Air Search and Rescue Coordinator and Incident Commander Tom Peterson. “We are thankful to everyone who contributed their time, expertise and resources to this search effort.”

Agencies assisting in the search included the Okanogan County Sheriff's Office, Okanogan County Emergency Management, Snohomish County Sheriff's Office air support unit, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation and WSDOT personnel.

Under state law, WSDOT is responsible for coordinating and managing aerial search and rescue operations in Washington.

WSDOT officials said the agency's involvement in the search has concluded. The Okanogan County Sheriff's Office will handle further information about the incident.

The cause of the crash was not identified in WSDOT's announcement. Questions regarding an investigation into the cause have been referred to the National Transportation Safety Board.