Trenton Joint Rescue Coordination CentreDurham Regional PoliceOntario Provincial PoliceDurham Regional Police Service

Police seek public's help to locate missing 73-year-old pilot and home-built plane; last known location near Balsam Lake

Police are searching for a missing 73-year-old pilot, identified only as David, who took off in a blue and yellow home-built aircraft from Oshawa Airport on Friday morning. His last known location is near Balsam Lake, and authorities are seeking public assistance in locating him.

Yahoo! Finance Canada Yahoo! Finance Canada+1 source15 August 2026 · 19:37 UTC
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Durham Regional Police are actively searching for a missing 73-year-old pilot named David, who took off from Oshawa Airport at 8:30 a.m. on Friday. He was expected to return by 9:30 a.m. but has not been seen since.12

David is described as an experienced pilot who typically flies in the area south of Kawartha Lakes and north of Lake Scugog. His home-built aircraft, which is blue and yellow, has the letters "FOFZ" on the tail. The last known location of the aircraft is believed to be around Balsam Lake, a popular area in Ontario's cottage country.3578

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) initially reported the missing plane but did not confirm the pilot's identity. Durham police are collaborating with the OPP and the Trenton Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in the search efforts. Authorities are urging anyone with information about David's whereabouts to contact the Durham Regional Police Central West Division Criminal Investigations Branch at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 1805.46

David is described as 5’7” tall, with a slim build, black/grey hair, and a moustache. His disappearance has raised concerns among local residents and fellow pilots, as he is known to frequently fly in the region.

Key Insight
“The pilot, identified only as David, is described as an experienced flyer who typically operates south of Kawartha Lakes and north of Lake Scugog. Authorities are coordinating with the OPP and Trenton Joint Rescue Coordination Centre, and the aircraft bears the tail letters "FOFZ".”
CuriousCats studied:
1
Yahoo! Finance CanadaYahoo! Finance Canada
“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.”
Yahoo! Finance Canada →
2
OrilliaMatters.comOrilliaMatters.com
“A 73-year-old man and his home-built aircraft have been reported missing after taking off from Oshawa Friday morning.”
OrilliaMatters.com →
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