2 Killed in Piper Super Cub Crash Near Tonasket, Washington, After Aircraft Vanishes on Cross-Border Flight

TONASKET, WASHINGTON — October 13, 2026 — Two people have died following the crash of a 1976 Piper PA-18-150 Super Cub in north-central Washington after the aircraft disappeared during a cross-border flight from Penticton, British Columbia, to Grangeville, Idaho, on Saturday, October 10. Search and rescue personnel located the wreckage in Aeneas Valley near Tonasket on Sunday afternoon, October 11, bringing a multiagency search to a tragic conclusion.

Pilot and Passenger Identified

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) identified the pilot as 61-year-old Nicholas Grachanin and the passenger as Jim Merik. Both were found deceased inside the aircraft when rescuers reached the wreckage at approximately 4:30 p.m. Pacific time on October 11.

Authorities confirmed that the victims’ families had been notified. The circumstances of the crash remain under investigation, and no official cause has been established.

Aircraft Disappeared During Flight from Canada to Idaho

The aircraft departed Penticton, British Columbia, on Saturday, October 10, with Grangeville, Idaho, as its intended destination. During the flight, the pilot lost communication with Seattle Center air traffic control.

According to WSDOT, the pilot’s daughter subsequently contacted the Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office to report the aircraft and its occupants missing.

Radar information placed the aircraft’s last known position between Oroville and Okanogan, Washington, prompting search operations across a region characterized by mountainous terrain, forests, valleys, and sparsely populated areas.

Authorities have not publicly established the precise time of the crash or the sequence of events between the loss of communication and the aircraft’s impact.

Search Teams Locate Wreckage in Aeneas Valley

WSDOT Aviation Emergency Services coordinated the search, using the aircraft’s last known radar positions and cellular telephone forensic information to narrow potential search areas.

The operation involved aerial and ground resources, including assistance from the Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office, Okanogan County Emergency Management, the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office air support unit, and the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation.

Search personnel focused on areas between Oroville and Okanogan, including Aeneas Valley and the surrounding mountainous terrain. Authorities also requested that residents report possible sightings while avoiding unauthorized drone flights that could interfere with rescue aircraft.

At approximately 4:30 p.m. on October 11, search crews located the wreckage in Aeneas Valley, east of Tonasket. Both occupants were confirmed dead at the scene, ending the search operation.

Aircraft Identified as Piper PA-18-150 Super Cub N927JS

The aircraft was identified as N927JS, a 1976 Piper PA-18-150 Super Cub, manufacturer serial number 18-7609143.

Federal Aviation Administration registration records confirm that N927JS is a single-engine, fixed-wing Piper aircraft equipped with a reciprocating engine. The registry identifies a Lycoming O-320-series engine and lists Southern Aircraft Consultancy Inc Trustee, of Casper, Wyoming, as the registered owner.

The FAA registration record identifies the registered trustee; it does not, by itself, establish who was operating the aircraft or who held its beneficial ownership at the time of the accident.

The Piper Super Cub is a high-wing, tailwheel-equipped aircraft widely associated with recreational flying, backcountry operations, and short-field flying. Its reputation for operating from relatively short or unimproved airstrips does not eliminate the hazards associated with terrain, weather, aircraft performance, or mechanical problems.

Aviation Safety Questions Remain Unanswered

The disappearance of the aircraft during a cross-border flight raises several questions for investigators, including the aircraft’s final flight path, operating altitude, weather conditions, communication history, and the circumstances surrounding the impact.

The loss of radio communication with Seattle Center is a documented event, but it should not be interpreted as evidence of a particular mechanical failure, pilot action, or emergency without supporting investigative findings.

Likewise, the aircraft’s discovery in mountainous terrain does not establish controlled flight into terrain, weather-related loss of control, engine failure, or any other specific accident scenario.

A complete accident investigation may require examination of the wreckage, aircraft maintenance history, pilot qualifications and experience, available radar information, meteorological conditions, and any recoverable electronic flight data.

At the time of publication, authorities had not released findings identifying the probable cause of the accident.

Search and Rescue Coordination

The accident also demonstrates the importance of coordinated search and rescue operations when an aircraft disappears over remote terrain.

WSDOT used available radar information and cellular telephone forensic techniques to identify possible search locations. Aerial search resources and ground teams from multiple organizations then worked together to locate the missing aircraft.

Under Washington state law, WSDOT is responsible for coordinating aerial search and rescue operations within the state. Following the discovery of the wreckage, WSDOT concluded its search mission and directed further questions regarding the accident investigation to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

Investigation and Continuing Developments

The National Transportation Safety Board is the appropriate federal authority for questions concerning the accident investigation. Any determination of probable cause must await the collection and evaluation of evidence.

ASX News will continue following developments concerning the crash of N927JS, including any subsequent investigative findings, factual reports, and safety recommendations.

Our condolences go to the families, friends, and aviation community affected by the deaths of Nicholas Grachanin and Jim Merik.