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NTSB Preliminary Report on Fatal Sonex Onex Crash in Caldwell Idaho

NTSB issues preliminary report on the fatal Sonex Onex crash in Caldwell, Idaho, detailing the accident and ongoing investigation.

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This article is based on an official preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and local reporting.

NTSB Issues Preliminary Report on Fatal Sonex Onex Crash in Caldwell, Idaho

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its preliminary report regarding the fatal aviation accident that occurred on February 6, 2026, in Caldwell, Idaho. The investigation focuses on the crash of a Sonex Aircraft Onex, an experimental amateur-built plane, which resulted in the death of the pilot shortly after takeoff from Caldwell Executive Airport (KEUL).

While initial data streams may have misidentified the location as Caldwell, Texas, the NTSB and local authorities have confirmed the incident took place in Idaho. The preliminary document outlines the factual sequence of events known to investigators at this stage, though a determination of probable cause remains pending as the inquiry proceeds.

According to the NTSB, the accident occurred at approximately 11:30 AM MST under Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC). The release of this report marks the first official federal documentation of the tragedy, providing a baseline for the ongoing safety investigation led by federal authorities with support from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Flight Sequence and Crash Details

The preliminary findings indicate that the aircraft, identified by registration number N362DZ, departed from Caldwell Executive Airport late in the morning. Witnesses and local authorities reported that the flight was brief. Shortly after lifting off, the single-seat aircraft descended and impacted the ground near the intersection of Ustick Road and Aviation Way, just outside the airport’s perimeter.

The NTSB report notes that the aircraft sustained “substantial damage” upon impact. Following the crash, the airframe was consumed by a post-impact fire. Emergency response teams from the Caldwell Fire Department arrived on the scene shortly before 11:30 AM to manage the blaze, but the pilot had already succumbed to the crash trauma.

Local officials, including the Canyon County Coroner, identified the pilot as 79-year-old Bayne Just, a resident of Nampa, Idaho. He was the sole occupant of the aircraft. Authorities confirmed there were no injuries to persons on the ground.

Investigation Status and Aircraft Background

Preliminary Findings

As is standard for NTSB investigations, the preliminary report does not speculate on the cause of the accident. Instead, it catalogues the immediate environmental conditions and the state of the wreckage. Investigators noted that weather conditions were clear at the time of the flight, suggesting that adverse weather was likely not a primary factor. The investigation is currently examining the wreckage, pilot records, and aircraft maintenance history to determine if mechanical failure or pilot error played a role.

The Sonex Onex Platform

The aircraft involved was a Sonex Aircraft Onex (pronounced “One-Ex”). This model is a popular experimental, amateur-built kit plane designed for a single pilot. It is well-regarded in the aviation community for its compact size and folding wings, which allow it to be stored in a standard garage. These aircraft are typically powered by Volkswagen-derived AeroVee engines or similar powerplants.

Because the aircraft operates under an experimental airworthiness certificate, the builder, often the owner, is responsible for the construction and maintenance of the vehicle. The NTSB investigation will likely review the build logs and maintenance records of N362DZ as part of the factual report phase.

AirPro News Analysis

The release of a preliminary report typically occurs 10 to 14 days after an aviation accident. It serves to inform the public and the aviation industry of the basic facts while the detailed investigation continues. For the general public, it is important to distinguish between this preliminary document and the final report.

The “probable cause” of the accident will not be determined until the final report is issued, a process that generally takes between 12 and 24 months. During this interim period, the NTSB may release a “Factual Report” containing detailed engineering and medical data. Given the experimental nature of the aircraft, investigators will pay close attention to the engine’s performance and the flight control systems, as these are critical variables in amateur-built aviation accidents.

We advise caution against speculation regarding the cause of the crash until the NTSB completes its rigorous analysis of the recovered airframe and engine components.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where did the crash occur?
The crash occurred in Caldwell, Idaho, near the Caldwell Executive Airport (KEUL), specifically at the intersection of Ustick Road and Aviation Way. Early automated reports may have incorrectly listed Caldwell, Texas.

What is a Preliminary Report?
An NTSB Preliminary Report is an initial document released shortly after an accident. It contains factual information verified at the scene, such as time, location, and weather, but does not analyze data or determine the cause of the crash.

What type of aircraft was involved?
The aircraft was a Sonex Onex, a single-seat, amateur-built experimental plane known for its folding wings and compact design.

Sources: NTSB Preliminary Report, KTVB Boise, Idaho News 6

Photo Credit: NTSB

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Regulations & Safety

Missouri Skydive Plane Crash Kills 12 at Butler Airport

A Pacific Aerospace 750XL crashed after takeoff from Butler Memorial Airport on June 14, 2026, killing a pilot and 11 skydivers.

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This is a developing story. Information may change as official details are released.

This article summarizes reporting by CBS News, The Washington Post, SFGATE, KEYT, and Fox 10 Phoenix.

A Pacific Aerospace 750XL operated by Skydive Kansas City crashed shortly after takeoff from Butler Memorial Airport (BUM) on June 14, 2026, resulting in 12 fatalities.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol confirmed that the pilot and 11 skydivers died when the single-engine turboprop impacted a field adjacent to the airport and caught fire. The NTSB and the FAA have deployed investigators to the site, located approximately 65 miles south of Kansas City.

Accident sequence and emergency response

The aircraft departed BUM at approximately 11:20 a.m. local time. According to preliminary reports cited by SFGATE, the aircraft made a left turn shortly after takeoff. Emergency responders received a 911 call around 11:30 a.m. reporting that the aircraft had crashed into a field approximately 300 yards from the runway and was engulfed in flames.

Dennis Jacobs, acting airport manager and Bates County Emergency Management Agency director, told reporters that the aircraft appeared to lose power before stalling and impacting the ground nose first. The NTSB has not yet verified this sequence of events, and the official cause of the accident remains under investigation.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol, alongside the Butler Police Department and Bates County Sheriff’s Office, secured the scene. A statement from the highway patrol confirmed that all 12 occupants perished in the crash. The identities of the victims are being withheld pending family notification.

Aircraft and operator background

The aircraft involved was a Pacific Aerospace 750XL manufactured in 2010. The 750XL is a single-engine turboprop frequently utilized in commercial skydiving operations due to its climb rate and payload capacity. The flight was operated by Skydive Kansas City, a commercial skydiving center based at BUM.

This accident follows a previous skydiving-related aviation occurrence near the same airport. On May 25, 2024, a Cessna U206C experienced an in-flight emergency near BUM. In that incident, the pilot and six skydivers successfully evacuated the aircraft via parachute before it crashed into a hayfield, resulting in no fatalities.

AirPro News analysis

We note that the NTSB investigation will likely focus on engine performance, weight and balance, and environmental factors at the time of departure. The Pacific Aerospace 750XL is a specialized utility aircraft, and investigators will examine maintenance records and the operator’s procedures as part of their standard protocol. Until the NTSB releases its preliminary report, usually within 30 days, any statements regarding a loss of power remain unconfirmed eyewitness observations.

Sources: CBS News

Photo Credit: NZAero

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Regulations & Safety

FAA Investigates Southwest Airlines Near Miss at Nashville

Two Southwest Boeing 737s came within 500 vertical feet near Nashville on April 18, 2026, after an ATC error during a go-around.

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This is a developing story. Information may change as official details are released.

This article summarizes reporting by CNN, Fox News, and The Washington Post.

Two Southwest Airlines (WN) Boeing 737 aircraft passed within 500 vertical feet of each other near Nashville International Airport (BNA) on April 18, 2026, after air traffic control instructions placed an aborting arrival into the path of a departing flight.

The incident, which occurred at approximately 5:30 p.m. local time, prompted both flight crews to execute evasive maneuvers following onboard Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) alerts. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched an investigation into the airspace separation loss, which highlights ongoing scrutiny over air traffic control protocols and collision avoidance effectiveness.

Sequence of events and evasive maneuvers

According to statements provided to CNN and Fox News, Southwest Airlines Flight 507 was arriving from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, when the flight crew initiated a precautionary go-around due to gusty wind conditions at BNA. During this maneuver, air traffic controllers instructed the crew to turn right.

The FAA confirmed in a statement that these instructions placed Flight 507 directly into the departure path of Southwest Airlines Flight 1152, which was taking off from a parallel runway bound for Knoxville, Tennessee. As the aircraft converged, TCAS resolution advisories activated in both cockpits. Flight tracking data from Flightradar24 indicates the two Boeing 737s came within 500 vertical feet of one another before the crews successfully altered their trajectories.

Both aircraft continued to safe landings without further incident. Flight 507 completed its arrival into Nashville on a subsequent approach, while Flight 1152 proceeded to its destination in Knoxville.

Regulatory investigation and safety context

The FAA is currently investigating the circumstances that led to the loss of separation. Southwest Airlines issued a statement emphasizing that the pilots of Flight 507 were complying with air traffic control directives when the conflict occurred, and that the crews responded professionally to the onboard traffic alerts to maintain safety.

The Nashville incident occurs against a backdrop of heightened national attention on mid-air collision risks. The Washington Post notes that aviation safety systems have faced intense public and regulatory scrutiny following a January 29, 2025, collision between an American Airlines aircraft and a military helicopter near Washington, D.C., which resulted in 67 fatalities. While the circumstances of the two events differ, the 2025 accident has amplified focus on the reliability of TCAS and air traffic control coordination in congested airspace.

AirPro News analysis

The activation of TCAS resolution advisories in this incident demonstrates the critical role of automated safety nets when procedural separation fails. While the FAA investigation will ultimately determine the root cause of the controller instructions, the event underscores the vulnerability of the go-around phase. Go-arounds are dynamic maneuvers that rapidly alter an aircraft’s energy state and expected flight path. These maneuvers require immediate and precise coordination between the flight deck and air traffic control, particularly when parallel runway operations are active.

Sources: CNN (via KESQ)

Photo Credit: Flightradar24 – Google Earth via CNN Newsource

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Regulations & Safety

FAA Investigates Southwest Airlines Ground Collision at PVD

Two Southwest Boeing 737s collided during pushback at Rhode Island T.F. Green Airport on June 11, 2026. FAA investigation opened.

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This is a developing story. Information may change as official details are released.

This article summarizes reporting by WPRI, NBC 10, Daily Voice, and CBS News Baltimore.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has opened an investigation after two Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 aircraft collided during pushback at Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport (PVD) late on June 11, 2026.

The ground collision resulted in no reported injuries but forced the cancellation of both flights and the grounding of the involved aircraft for mandatory safety inspections. According to reporting by the Daily Voice and NBC 10, the incident highlights ongoing operational challenges on airport ramps, occurring just weeks after a similar event involving the same carrier at another East Coast facility.

Details of the ground collision

At approximately 10:45 p.m. local time, Southwest Airlines Flight 3515, bound for Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), was pushing back from its gate. During the maneuver, the aircraft’s wing made contact with the tail of Southwest Airlines Flight 3409, which was scheduled to depart for Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW).

Both aircraft returned to their respective gates following the contact, allowing passengers to deplane normally. Southwest Airlines confirmed that no injuries occurred among passengers or crew members. The carrier subsequently canceled both flights and reaccommodated the affected travelers.

“Southwest Airlines is aware of an incident involving two of our aircraft at Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport. We are investigating further and will be thoroughly inspecting the two aircraft,”

the airline stated in remarks provided to local media, adding that safety remains its highest priority.

Local media outlets, including NBC 10, reported passenger accounts suggesting that Flight 3515 continued to move briefly after the initial impact. These accounts claim passengers verbally alerted the flight crew to the collision. Neither Southwest Airlines nor the FAA has officially verified these specific passenger narratives, and the official sequence of events remains under investigation.

Regulatory response and recent precedent

The FAA confirmed on June 12, 2026, that it is investigating the circumstances surrounding the collision. Ground operations during pushback rely heavily on coordination between flight crews and ground personnel, particularly in ramp areas where air traffic controllers do not maintain direct communication with the aircraft.

This event follows a comparable occurrence on May 4, 2026, at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI). In that instance, two Southwest Airlines Boeing 737s clipped wings during pushback operations. The FAA investigated the BWI incident, noting the specific communication dynamics between ground crews and the flight deck in non-controlled ramp sectors.

AirPro News analysis

We note that while ground collisions during pushback rarely pose a severe threat to passenger safety, they represent a significant operational and financial burden for carriers. Ramp incidents require immediate grounding of the involved airframes, triggering mandatory structural inspections and potential repairs. The recurrence of pushback-related contact within a single airline’s network over a short period may prompt internal reviews of ground handling procedures, wingwalker positioning, and ramp communication protocols. Until the FAA concludes its investigation, the specific cause of the PVD collision remains undetermined.

Sources: WPRI

Photo Credit: Zachary Reis

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