SEQUIM — No trace has been found of a small plane that reportedly took off from Tonasket on Monday and never reached its destination in Sequim.
Family members living in Sequim have joined the search for the pilot Edward Jeffko, 72, of Tonasket.
Jeffko took off alone at 6:30 a.m. Monday from the Tonasket Municipal Airport in north-central Washington, but he never arrived in Sequim, where he had been planning to visit family members, said the state Department of Transportation’s Aviation Division.
When Jeffko failed to reach his destination within a reasonable time, his family alerted the state, said Nisha Marvel, spokeswoman for Aviation.
Jeffko is the father of James Jeffko, 47, owner of Sequim Massage, and grandfather of Joe Jeffko, 23, both of whom took part Wednesday in a ground search for Edward and his kit-built plane.
There was no known flight plan filed, and the plane’s emergency beacon has not been detected.
Eight Civil Air Patrol aircraft are searching the most likely routes Jeffko might have taken between Tonasket and Sequim, Marvel said.
“We’re looking at all possibilities,” she said.
The senior Jeffko has been flying for most of his life, James said.
James and Joe are co-owners of Fresh Mix Grill & Mart in Sequim, which James said is closed until further notice.
“Thanks for everyone’s support in our local community,” James said.
The state is operating a hotline at 360-410-7757.
“If anyone anywhere remembers seeing or hearing anything out of the ordinary, or if you think you have any tips, please call the hotline,” James said.
Edward Jeffko is a former Tonasket City Council member.
Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arwyn.rice@peninsuladailynews.com.
