Uetz, Walter Spitfire II accident near Kamiah, Idaho, June 19, 2008
On June 19, 2008 at about 8:30 pm local time, a Uetz, Walter Spitfire II, registered N7530L, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern downwind) near Kamiah, Idaho (Kamiah Municipal airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, and the pilot's failure maintain the proper descent rate during the last part of his approach to a forced landing in an open hayfield.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 19, 2008 · about 8:30 pm local time
- Place
- Kamiah, Idaho · Kamiah Municipal · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Uetz, Walter Spitfire II
- Registration
- N7530L · no longer on the register · serial 15532
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
While on downwind for landing, the experimental airplane, which had nearly a full load of fuel onboard, experienced a total loss of engine power. During his attempt to execute a forced landing in a nearby open hayfield, the pilot allowed the airplane's descent rate to become excessive. The excessive descent rate resulted in a hard landing, during which both wing and fuselage structure were bent and fractured. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.
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
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (total) during approach (VFR pattern downwind) defining event
- Hard landing during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surfa › (general) › Not specified
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Descent rate › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 8,000 hours in all; 1 in this make and model; 50 in the last 90 days; 15 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: Class 2
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 300 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, January 1, 2008
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 582 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: S73 ID
- Destination: S73
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 32
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.