Search Called Off One Week After Cessna Vanished

As crews called off their search for a missing pilot in south-central Washington state, county prosecutors announced they have issued a warrant for that pilot's arrest.

Pierce County deputy prosecutor John Sheeran told The Associated Press George Trupp was due to appear before the judge Wednesday, on an indecent liberties charge stemming from the alleged groping of a 20-year-old babysitter. Public defender Linda King said Trupp was scheduled to plead guilty to that charge.

Under terms of his release while awaiting trial, Trupp -- who pleaded guilty in 1994 to communication with a minor for immoral purposes -- was not supposed to leave a four-county area within the state... a condition the recently-licensed pilot violated when he flew to Colorado last week to visit his daughter.

As Aero-News reported, Trupp was heading back home from a stop in Twin Falls, ID last Tuesday when his rented Cessna 177B Cardinal disappeared from radar over the Cascades. Search crews failed to locate any trace of the plane or Trupp, and called off the search on Monday.

Given the circumstances, some have speculated Trupp may have wanted to disappear... and may not have crashed. Adding to the rumors is the report Trupp took his dog with him on the trip, and that he carried a two-year supply of dog food onboard.

One witness told searchers he saw a low-flying Cessna matching the description of the missing aircraft in the foothills east of Cowiche, outside the search area.

Trupp's son, Jim, told Seattle's KOMO-TV his father had been in the Air Force, and had survival training.

"Honestly, I hope he just got tired and found a clearing a put down and maybe just decided not to come back," he said.

FMI: www.co.pierce.wa.us