Pilot, 73, missing in Ontario after flying in home-built aircraft: police

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KAWARTHA LAKES - Police are asking for the public's help finding a missing 73-year-old pilot who took off in a home-built aircraft and failed to return.

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KAWARTHA LAKES – Police are asking for the public’s help finding a missing 73-year-old pilot who took off in a home-built aircraft and failed to return.

The Durham Regional Police Service says the pilot departed from the Oshawa Airport at 8:30 a.m. on Friday and was expected to return that same morning at 9:30 a.m.

Police identified the missing man, David, by first name only and said he is an experienced pilot who usually flies in the area south of the municipality of Kawartha Lakes and north of Lake Scugog.

An Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) patch is seen in Ottawa, on Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby
An Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) patch is seen in Ottawa, on Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby

Police say the last known location of the man’s aircraft is believed to be around Balsam Lake, in Ontario’s cottage country. 

The OPP said earlier it was looking for a missing plane in the Kawartha Lakes region but did not confirm the pilot’s identity. Durham police told The Canadian Press that David is the pilot of the missing plane.

Durham police described the plane as a home-built, blue and yellow aircraft.

The OPP said the aircraft has the letters “FOFZ” on the tail.

Durham police say they’re working with the OPP and the Trenton Joint Rescue Coordination Centre to search for the missing pilot.

A home-built aircraft that missing 73-year-old pilot, David, took off in from the Oshawa Airport, in Oshawa, Ont., on Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, and failed to return, is shown in this undated handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout - Durham Regional Police (Mandatory Credit)
A home-built aircraft that missing 73-year-old pilot, David, took off in from the Oshawa Airport, in Oshawa, Ont., on Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, and failed to return, is shown in this undated handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout - Durham Regional Police (Mandatory Credit)

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 15, 2026. 

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