Jerry Riedinger : Pilot en route to Ephrata found dead after crash in Columbia Basin

Accident – Death – Obituary News : : 1. Ephrata plane crash
2. Columbia Basin aviation incident

The search for a missing pilot and his aircraft in Washington State has come to a tragic end, as wreckage and the pilot’s body were discovered in a dense forest area near Humpback Mountain. The pilot, 69-year-old Jerry Riedinger, was found deceased at the crash site. Riedinger had taken off from Arlington Municipal Airport aiming for Ephrata but failed to arrive, prompting an intense search operation involving ground and air teams. Despite extensive efforts, the pilot could not be located until the unfortunate discovery was made. WSDOT has expressed condolences to Riedinger’s family and investigations into the crash will be handled by authorities.

Tragic Discovery in the Dense Forest of Humpback Mountain

In a tragic turn of events, the search for missing pilot Jerry Riedinger came to a somber end on Monday, as wreckage of his aircraft and his lifeless body were discovered in the dense forest near Humpback Mountain. The 69-year-old pilot had embarked on a journey from Arlington Municipal Airport to Ephrata but never made it to his destination.

Intense Search Operation

After Riedinger failed to arrive at his scheduled destination and communication was lost, an intense search operation was launched by the Washington State Department of Transportation. Ground and air search teams, including a 50-person ground search and aerial support, scoured the area west of Snoqualmie Pass where the last signals from Riedinger’s cell phone had been detected.

Tragic Conclusion

Despite the exhaustive efforts of the search teams, it was not until Monday that the wreckage of the aircraft and Riedinger’s body were found in the dense forest near Humpback Mountain. The discovery marked the tragic conclusion of the search mission, with WSDOT expressing its deepest condolences to Riedinger’s family.

Condolences and Gratitude

WSDOT extended its sincere condolences to the family of Jerry Riedinger and expressed gratitude to all agencies and personnel involved in the search operation. The King County Sheriff’s Office and the National Transportation Safety Board will now be responsible for investigating the cause of the crash.

It is truly a heartbreaking moment when a search operation ends in such a tragic discovery. Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of Jerry Riedinger during this difficult time. May he rest in peace.

**Additionally, the incident took place in a remote and challenging terrain, adding to the complexity of the search operation. The rugged landscape of Humpback Mountain made it difficult for search teams to navigate and locate the crash site. Despite the challenges, the dedication and perseverance of the search teams ultimately led to the discovery of the wreckage and the pilot’s body.**