MOUNT HOOD, Ore. — Rescuers on Wednesday reached the wreckage of a small plane on Mount Hood and confirmed the pilot was dead. Authorities believe the pilot is the same man who was reported missing Monday.
George Regis, 63, of Battle Ground, took off out of Grove Field Airport, near Camas, Wash., on Jan. 25 in a four-person, single engine plane. Authorities said he was the only person in the plane.
On Tuesday afternoon, Civil Air Patrol located a signal from a plane’s emergency locator in the area of Eliot Glacier, on the northeast side of Mount Hood.
The CAP pilot confirmed the tail number of the plane was the same as the plane Regis flew. An Oregon Air National Guard helicopter crew confirmed there was a body as well.
On Wednesday, rescue teams set out around 4:30 a.m. and reached the crash site just before 9 a.m. They confirmed the pilot was deceased and was the only person on the plane.
The man's body will be taken to Hood River, where his identity will be confirmed.
"We know from experience that it’s really devastating for the family when we can’t bring someone home, so this situation’s good as far as us being able to bring him home,” said Sgt. Pete Hughes of the Hood River County Sheriff’s Office.
The Hood River County Sheriff’s Office believes the plane was headed for Arizona before the crash.