Sonex Aircraft ONEX accident near Caldwell, Idaho, February 6, 2026
On February 6, 2026 at about 5:50 pm local time, a 2020 Sonex Aircraft ONEX, registered N362DZ, was destroyed in an accident during initial climb near Caldwell, Idaho (Caldwell Exec airport). It was a personal 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 NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 6, 2026 · about 5:50 pm local time
- Place
- Caldwell, Idaho · Caldwell Exec · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Sonex Aircraft ONEX, built 2020
- Registration
- N362DZ · registry record · serial 0039
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On February 6, 2026, about 0945 mountain standard time, a Sonex Onex airplane, N362DZ, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Caldwell, Idaho. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. A witness reported that he observed the accident airplane depart runway 12 at Caldwell Executive Airport (EUL) Caldwell, Idaho. The airplane transitioned into an initial climb and reached an altitude of about 200–300 ft above ground level. The airplane then entered a shallow right turn followed by a left turn that suddenly steepened to a bank angle of about 90°. During this maneuver, the witness reported that the airplane rapidly rolled to the right and then descended out of his field of view. The airplane impacted a field about 850 ft southeast of the runway departure end at an elevation of about 2,435 ft mean sea level. All major structures were located at the accident site. Flight control continuity was traced from the cockpit to the elevator, aileron, and rudder flight control surfaces. The main wreckage, consisting of the fuselage, wings, engine, and empennage, was oriented to the northeast. Impact signatures were consistent with a near wings-level attitude at a shallow descent angle. The impact ground scar was confined to the immediate wreckage area. A handheld GPS unit was retained for data recovery. The wreckage was recovered and transported to a secure facility for further examination. Figure 1: Accident Site
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 control in flight during initial climb defining event
The aircraft
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Runway 12, 5,500 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 41°F (5°C), dew point 34°F (1°C)
- Altimeter: 30.20 inHg
- Observation at 10:45 am from EUL
Weather report (METAR): 061745Z AUTO 00000KT 7SM CLR 05/01 A3020 RMK T00500010 MADISHF,M
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check 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.