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<< Previous   of   Next >> Photo courtesy of Washington State Department of T  (click to enlarge) A plane similar to the one Gordon Last was piloting on Saturday.   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Robert Frank, City Editor frank@heraldnet.com   Published: Tuesday, October 13, 2009 Weather may hamper search for pilot By Eric Stevick Herald Writer ARLINGTON — Weather could hamper plans to continue the search today for a Lake Roesiger pilot who has been missing since Saturday, officials said. Forecasts are indicating windy weather and a 50 percent chance of rain by day's end. Gordon Last, 51, reportedly took off from Harvey Field early Saturday afternoon in a 1946 Taylor Craft Tail Dragger and did not return. On Monday, eight volunteer pilots searched Snohomish County for the small plane, said Nisha Marvel, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Transportation Aviation Division. The plane had no emergency locator beacon or transponder on board and no flight plan was filed, according to reports received by search and rescue crews. That makes it difficult to narrow down a search area, Marvel said. “We are using leads we are getting from people who know him and his past history of flying in that area,” Marvel said. Last’s girlfriend called authorities Saturday afternoon when he didn’t return as expected. Relatives told officials the pilot’s car still was parked at the Snohomish airport. Marcus Mann, Last’s cousin, said it is crucial for people who may have noticed the plane on Saturday to provide information to searchers. Last’s aircraft looks similar to a Piper Cub plane, he said. It has a single engine and is painted white with red and gray wing tips. “There are a handful of people who saw his plane take off,” Mann said. Mann described Last as “a competent pilot, a competent mechanic, a competent man” who has good survival skills. Last frequently used landing strips in Monroe and Snohomish, as well as Harvey Field, Mann said. Anyone who might have seen the plane Saturday or has other information that could aid in the search is encouraged to call 360-410-0461 or email missingaircraft@wsdot.wa.gov. READER COMMENTS Be the first to comment. You must be a registered user and verify your e-mail address to post comments to blogs or articles on HeraldNet. To register, click here. To read other terms and conditions, click here. Log out

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