Amateur-built Mielec accident near Caldwell, Idaho, July 29, 2008
On July 29, 2008 at about 12:44 pm local time, a amateur-built Mielec, registered N81541, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Caldwell, Idaho. It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot failed to maintain clearance from a power line while maneuvering. Contributing to the accident was a vehicle.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 29, 2008 · about 12:44 pm local time
- Place
- Caldwell, Idaho · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built Mielec
- Registration
- N81541 · no longer on the register · serial 1Z020-06
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The Federal Aviation Administration inspector reported that he discussed the accident with the pilot. The pilot indicated to the FAA inspector that he was conducting aerial application operations. He was flying over the field and going to pass below a power line. As he neared the power line, he noticed a vehicle on the road. The pilot gained altitude in order to provide separation between the airplane and the vehicle. As the airplane gained altitude, it collided with the power lines. The airplane then descended into the terrain. There were no mechanical anomalies reported with the airplane. At the time of this report, the pilot did not submit NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the Pilot Operator Report.
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
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- factor Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Ground vehicle › Contributed to outcome
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Not attained/maintained
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Wire › Not specified
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land
- Flight time: 14,360 hours in all; 1,200 in this make and model; 125 in the last 90 days
- Medical certificate: Class 2
The aircraft
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Garrett TPE-731 (turboprop); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: ID00 Caldwell ID
- Destination: ID00 Caldwell ID
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 140° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 54°F (12°C), dew point 45°F (7°C)
- Altimeter: 29.94 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.