A search is under way for 73-year-old man who took off in a plane from Silverdale more than a week ago and has not been seen since.

Richard Nims of Silverdale left his semi truck loaded with new furniture at the Apex Airpark and flew off in his recently purchased American Champion plane on Nov. 17.

Authorities said Nims did not file a flight plan before taking off from the airport and was not reported missing until Tuesday when his niece alerted authorities.

Nims, who is a retired commercial and military pilot, had been acting odd after the death of his sister and had recently purchased a corvette sports car, a Harley-Davidson and a Jeep.

Though he had flying experience, he had only recently started flying again.

”We talked to him daily about safety issues, because he seemed like he was short on that, frankly,” said fellow pilot Bob Packett.

“It’s really unlike him to disappear like this. Usually he’ll call me and ask me to watch the dogs,” said Nims’ niece Melissa Micallef.

The pilot’s family said notes found in his home are giving them hope.

The notes point to a trip on Nov. 10 to Tulsa then on to Homestead, Fla. where his ex-wife lives. But they have been unsuccessful in contacting anyone at those locations.

The state Department of Transportation Aviation Division is heading the efforts to find the plane, but says it is difficult since Nims did not file a flight plan and there has been no emergency locator beacon activated on the plane.

Anyone with information about Nims or his whereabouts is asked to call a tips hotline at 360-410-0461.