Pilot dies after Glasair crashes into wooded area near Paine Field

Key points

• The crash occurred around 2:50 p.m. on October 1, 2026, in a wooded, undeveloped area approximately 750 feet from the main runway at Paine Field Airport in Everett.
• The pilot was the only person on board and was pronounced dead at the scene; the Snohomish County Medical Examiner's Office is tasked with identifying the body and determining the cause of death.
• The aircraft, a single-engine Glasair first certified in 1988, is described by the FAA as an experimental, amateur-built plane owned by a resident of Homer, Alaska.
• Paine Field's main runway was closed for about an hour while the Paine Field Fire Department, Mukilteo Fire Department, and South County Fire Department responded to the scene.
• The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have been notified and will investigate the crash, which is noted as the first fatal incident at the airport in six to eight years.

Background

This incident follows a September 2026 crash in Lake Stevens where a pilot was seriously injured. It is the first fatal crash at Paine Field in six to eight years, according to our archive. In contrast, a recent Amazon cargo plane crash in Miami resulted in five ground fatalities but the pilots survived.

How outlets are covering it

KOMO News and MyNorthwest.com confirm the pilot's death and the location of the crash but differ slightly on the exact time, with MyNorthwest citing approximately 3:00 p.m. and HeraldNet citing 2:50 p.m. HeraldNet provides specific details on the aircraft's ownership and certification history, while MyNorthwest emphasizes that the plane was not associated with the airport's flight school. All sources agree that the NTSB and FAA are leading the investigation.

Why it matters

The crash highlights ongoing safety concerns regarding general aviation and experimental aircraft in the Pacific Northwest. The temporary closure of Paine Field, a major hub for general aviation, underscores the operational impact of such incidents on regional air traffic and emergency response coordination.

What to watch

The NTSB will release a preliminary report on the crash cause, while the Snohomish County Medical Examiner will issue a formal identification and cause of death for the pilot. The FAA may issue safety advisories regarding Glasair aircraft if the investigation reveals systemic issues.