Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS) has launched a search for a 73-year-old male pilot from Oshawa who failed to return after a morning flight that departed Oshawa Airport on Aug. 14, 2026.
Flight, description and last known location
Police say the pilot, identified only as David, took off from Oshawa Airport at approximately 8:30 a.m. in a single, home-built aircraft and was expected to be back by about 9:30 a.m. When the aircraft did not return as planned, authorities began inquiries and a search was initiated.
David is described by investigators as a 73-year-old man, about 5 ft. 7 in. tall, with a slim build, black/grey hair and a moustache. The aircraft is described as a blue and yellow single home-built plane. Police say he typically flies in the area south of Kawartha Lakes township and north of Lake Scugog, though the plane’s last known location is believed to be in the vicinity of Balsam Lake.
Search effort and agencies involved
DRPS is coordinating the investigation and said it is working with the Ontario Provincial Police and the Trenton Joint Rescue Coordination Centre, which are assisting in the ongoing search effort. Authorities have not disclosed further operational details about search locations or aircraft and vessels involved.
Anyone who knows the whereabouts of this male, or who has any information, is asked to contact their local police service or DRPS’ Central West Division Criminal Investigations Branch at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 1805. You can also give information anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-888-222-8477 (TIPS).
What neighbours and aviators should know
For residents living near Oshawa Airport and the waterways north and west of the city, police say the most useful information is any unusual sightings of a blue-and-yellow single home-built aircraft or any activity near Balsam Lake on the morning of Aug. 14. Pilots who flew in the area that morning or who track small private aircraft movements are asked to check their logs and radar recordings and contact investigators if they observed anything relevant.
- Time of departure: 8:30 a.m., Aug. 14, 2026
- Expected return: ~9:30 a.m.
- Last known area: Balsam Lake
- Aircraft: blue and yellow single home-built
- Contact: DRPS Central West Division CIB 1-888-579-1520 ext. 1805; Crime Stoppers 1-888-222-8477
Timeline
| Event | Date & time |
|---|---|
| Departure from Oshawa Airport | Aug. 14, 2026 — approx. 8:30 a.m. |
| Expected return | Aug. 14, 2026 — approx. 9:30 a.m. |
| Last known location | Around Balsam Lake (time not specified) |
This search is likely to be of particular concern to families and neighbours in central Durham and the Kawartha region, where small private aircraft frequently traverse rural airspace and local lakes are popular navigation points. With limited flight information released publicly, investigators are appealing to the public for any piece of information that could assist locating the aircraft and pilot.
DRPS has not released additional personal details about the pilot and has not provided further updates on the progress or outcome of the search. Anyone with relevant information is urged to contact the numbers listed above or speak to their local police.
