Search continues for missing pilot David Douglas in Ontario's Kawartha Lakes

Search crews are scouring southern Ontario's Kawartha Lakes region for a missing pilot, David Douglas, who failed to return from a flight on Friday, August 14, 2026. The 73-year-old experienced pilot departed Oshawa Executive Airport around 8:30 a.m. for what was expected to be a routine leisure flight.

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Anyone who heard an aircraft flying unusually low on Friday morning, or heard an engine change pitch or stop, should call 911.

Durham Regional Police issued a public appeal for assistance later that day when Douglas did not arrive back at the airport as planned. His family confirmed in a news release that the trip was a normal one for him, expressing their deep desire for his safe return.

Douglas was flying a distinctive light blue and yellow amateur-built aircraft. Authorities are particularly interested in any information from residents in the cottage areas who might have seen or heard anything unusual on Friday morning. This includes reports of aircraft flying unusually low, engine sound changes, or any cessation of engine noise.

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This trip is, my understanding, this trip is quite normal for him to go on a flight.

His cousin, Richard Wiltshire, described Douglas as a long-time pilot and leisure flyer, emphasizing the normalcy of this particular trip. The family is appealing to anyone with camera footage from Friday morning to preserve it and contact 911. Douglas is described as five-foot-seven with a slim build, black/grey hair, and a mustache.

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We want him home, we want him safe with his family again.