WSDOT crews confirm fatal crash of Piper Cub in Okanogan County

Key points

• WSDOT Air Search and Rescue teams located the wreckage of a 1976 Piper Cub in Aeneas Valley near Tonasket at approximately 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 11, 2026.
• The pilot, 61-year-old Nicholas Granchanin, and passenger Jim Merick were confirmed deceased; their families have been notified.
• The aircraft departed Penticton, British Columbia, for Grangeville, Idaho, and lost contact with Seattle Center air traffic control on Saturday evening.
• Search efforts utilized cell phone forensics and radar data to focus on areas between Oroville and Okanogan, with ground support from the Colville Confederated Tribes.
• WSDOT Air Search and Rescue Coordinator Tom Peterson expressed condolences to the families and thanked contributors to the search effort.

Background

This incident follows a pattern of small aircraft search and rescue operations in the region, including a September 2026 incident where relatives of a missing Bahamas-bound plane found the occupants dead after launching their own search. WSDOT is statutorily charged with coordinating aerial search and rescue within Washington, working with volunteer groups, law enforcement, and the U.S. Navy.

How outlets are covering it

KOMO and KIVI-TV initially reported on the ongoing search efforts, emphasizing the coordination between WSDOT and local authorities, as well as the use of cell phone forensics to narrow search areas. Elkhorn Media Group provided the critical update confirming the discovery of the wreckage and the identities of the deceased occupants. KXLY.com reported the location of the crash near Tonasket, aligning with the Elkhorn Media Group update. All sources agree on the basic facts of the flight path and the involvement of WSDOT, but Elkhorn Media Group was the first to confirm the fatal outcome, while KOMO and KIVI focused on the search process before the discovery was confirmed.

Why it matters

The incident highlights the challenges of search and rescue operations in remote, mountainous areas of Washington state, where small aircraft accidents can be difficult to detect and locate. It also underscores the importance of coordinated efforts between state agencies, tribal nations, and local law enforcement in responding to aviation emergencies. The use of cell phone forensics to assist in search efforts represents a modern approach to traditional search and rescue operations.

What to watch

WSDOT has concluded the search operation following the discovery of the wreckage. The investigation into the cause of the crash will likely be led by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), as is standard for such incidents. Families of the deceased have been notified, and WSDOT has expressed condolences. No further search operations are expected at this time.