Wsk Pzl Mielec PZL M-18B accident near Borah Peak, Idaho, May 22, 2004
On May 22, 2004 at about 8:16 pm local time, a Wsk Pzl Mielec PZL M-18B, registered N117BS, was destroyed in an accident near Borah Peak, Idaho. It was a positioning flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's inadequate planning/decision, VFR into IMC, and his failure to maintain terrain clearance. Factors include mountainous terrain and instrument meteorological condition.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 22, 2004 · about 8:16 pm local time
- Place
- Borah Peak, Idaho · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Wsk Pzl Mielec PZL M-18B
- Registration
- N117BS · registry record · serial 1Z027-17
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Positioning flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was on the first leg of a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country flight that originated approximately one hour and 15 minutes prior to the accident. After failing to arrive at the scheduled destination, the FAA issued an Alert Notice (ALNOT) and a search for the missing airplane was initiated. Eight days after the search was initiated, the missing airplane was located in mountainous terrain near the summit of Borah Peak at an elevation of approximately 11,210 feet above mean sea level. Widespread areas of instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) were reported along the pilot's route of flight. Weather forecasts for the time and area of the accident included icing conditions and mountain obscuration.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 14,432 hours in all; 2,234 in this make and model; 14,432 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,900 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 4, 2004; 25 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 11,700 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Pzl Mielec 62R (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: New Frontier Aviation
The flight
- Departed from: DLN Dillon MT at 7:15 pm
- Destination: BOI Boise ID
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 4,500 ft; scat at 3,000 ft
- Temperature: 57°F (14°C), dew point 30°F (-1°C)
- Altimeter: 29.79 inHg
- Observation at 8:50 pm from KSUN, 43 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.