- A pilot died when a Glasair aircraft crashed after takeoff from Paine Field in Everett.
- The aircraft struck a wooded area and caught fire after impact; crews extinguished the flames.
- The runway closed for about an hour, delaying flights while federal investigators examine evidence.
A pilot died Thursday, October 1, 2026, after a Glasair aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff from Paine Field in Everett, Washington. The crash happened at about 2:48 p.m., roughly 750 feet west of the main runway. The pilot was the sole occupant.
Kristin Banfield, the airport’s public information officer, said the pilot had been cleared for departure. She confirmed that the pilot died.
“All we know at this time was that he was cleared for takeoff and he was making that maneuver at the time.”
Banfield also said: “We are sad to report that we have one occupant on board that is deceased.”
The aircraft burned after impact in a wooded area
The plane came down in a heavily wooded area on the airport’s west side and caught fire after impact. Fire crews quickly put out the flames.
Responders included the airport fire department, Mukilteo Fire, South County Fire and Support 7. Airport officials initially asked the public to avoid the area while crews worked.
Early reports mentioned injuries. Later updates confirmed one fatality, the pilot, who was alone aboard. The aircraft was not connected to the airport’s flight school.
The runway closure delayed flights and diverted a Las Vegas arrival
The main runway closed for about one hour as crews responded. At least three departing flights were delayed, and one incoming flight diverted to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
A Horizon Air flight arriving from Las Vegas was diverted there. An Alaska flight bound for Phoenix was delayed about one hour. The runway reopened after roughly an hour.
Investigators are reviewing flight, aircraft and pilot records
The National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration are investigating. An NTSB investigator went to the crash site on Friday, October 2, 2026, to document the accident and examine the aircraft.
The board said the inquiry remains in its fact-gathering phase. It is “not determining or speculating about the cause of the crash” at this point.
Investigators plan to review air traffic control communications, radar and flight-track data, weather reports and witness statements. They will also examine electronic devices and surveillance video.
The inquiry will cover aircraft maintenance records and the pilot’s license, ratings and recent flight experience. Investigators will also review the pilot’s 72-hour history. Each line of evidence will help establish what happened before impact.
The Snohomish County Medical Examiner’s Office will identify the pilot and determine the cause and manner of death. The pilot’s name, the aircraft’s tail number and the flight’s destination had not been released.
The aircraft was described as a high-performance Glasair experimental aircraft. Its wreckage remained in the wooded area while investigators worked, and the aircraft was later recovered for further evaluation.
The NTSB expects a preliminary report within 30 days of the crash. Its final report is expected within 12 to 24 months.
