Oshawa Pilot Search
Multi-agency teams search for 73-year-old pilot missing from Oshawa after small aircraft disappears.
Key Points
The aircraft is described as a small, blue and yellow, single-seat home-built plane with tail marking 'FOFZ', aiding public identification.
The pilot’s last name has not been released publicly, indicating ongoing attempts to confirm his full identity.
Durham Regional Police have provided a dedicated tip line for information on the missing pilot: 1-888-579-1520 ext. 1805.
Balsam Lake is cited as the last known location, which is roughly 30 kilometres north of Lindsay, helping narrow the search area.
The incident date is reported as August 14, with the aircraft taking off from Oshawa Airport at 8:30 a.m. and expected back about an hour later.
A 73-year-old pilot named David departed Oshawa Executive Airport at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, August 14, in a small blue and yellow home-built plane — and never came back. CTV News reported that the man, identified as David Douglas, was an experienced flyer expected to return about an hour after takeoff.
Durham Regional Police, the Ontario Provincial Police, and the Trenton Joint Rescue Coordination Centre are now all searching for him. His last known location is near Balsam Lake, roughly 30 kilometres north of Lindsay. Authorities are asking the public to help find him.
Pilot's Typical Route Spans Kawartha Lakes Region
David typically flew south of Kawartha Lakes and north of Lake Scugog, according to Castanet. That area covers a wide stretch of rural Ontario. Balsam Lake sits at the northern edge of his known flying zone, making it the focal point of the search.
The plane is a single-seat, home-built aircraft. Home-built planes are privately constructed by their owners and are common among experienced hobbyist pilots. David is described as exactly that — an experienced flyer who knew the area well, Castanet Kamloops noted.
Blue and Yellow Plane Carries Tail Marking FOFZ
Searchers and the public are looking for a small, blue and yellow single-seat aircraft. The plane's tail marking is 'FOFZ'. That marking is a key identifier for spotting the aircraft from the ground or air. Authorities have released this detail to help the public recognize the plane quickly.
David's last name had not been publicly confirmed at the time of early reports, according to CTV News. Later reporting identified him as David Douglas. His physical description has also been shared by police to assist with identification if he is found on the ground.
Three Agencies Join Forces in Active Search Effort
Durham Regional Police, the OPP, and the Trenton Joint Rescue Coordination Centre are all involved in the search, Peterborough Today reported. The Trenton centre is a federal facility that coordinates search and rescue missions across Ontario and beyond. Its involvement signals the seriousness of the effort.
The search was still active as of the latest reports. No wreckage and no sign of David had been found. Officials have not confirmed any leads on his whereabouts. The multi-agency response shows how urgently crews are treating the situation.
Public Asked to Call Dedicated Tip Line With Any Sightings
Durham Regional Police have set up a dedicated tip line for this case: 1-888-579-1520, extension 1805. Anyone who saw the blue and yellow plane on Friday morning — or who spotted it on or near Balsam Lake — is urged to call. Even small details could help narrow the search area.
Police are also asking people in cottage country and rural areas north of Oshawa to keep watch. The aircraft is small and could be hard to spot in wooded terrain. Authorities say community tips are a critical part of finding missing aircraft in remote areas, according to Castanet Kamloops.
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