Caldwell Industrial Airport: Caldwell Idaho

Airport is located 3 miles south east of Caldwell, Idaho.

Accident occurred Saturday, August 01, 2009 in Caldwell, ID
Probable Cause Approval Date: 3/3/2010
Aircraft: Gray RV-6, registration: N69KG
Injuries: 1 Fatal.
According to a family member of the pilot, the airplane had sat on the airport's ramp for about a year without having been flown. About a week before the accident, the pilot flew the airplane once around the traffic pattern. On the day of the accident, the pilot had removed and sandblasted the spark plugs, checked the cylinders for compression, and removed and cleaned the air filter; the filter was reported to have had "some goop" on it. A witness reported observing the airplane take off, and, as it went by him at 100 to 200 feet above ground level, he heard a "popping noise." He subsequently observed the airplane make a quick left turn to a left downwind leg, and as the airplane continued on the downwind he observed the nose increase in pitch, but it was not climbing. As the airplane came abeam the numbers, it made a steep left turn, followed by the nose dropping before it dove into the ground and erupted in flames. The airplane was consumed by a post impact fire. A post accident examination of the engine revealed no anomalies with the cylinders and valve train. All spark plugs were found to have excessive gaps, and all but one failed a bench check when exposed to pressure greater than 80 psi. A post accident examination of the airframe revealed no anomalies. No aircraft or engine logbooks were located during the investigation. The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows: The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed that led to a stall/spin while maneuvering in the traffic pattern.
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Accident occurred Friday, April 17, 2009 in Caldwell, ID
Probable Cause Approval Date: 9/10/2009
Aircraft: BRINKER / GARNER BI-PLANE, registration: N375CB
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.
The pilot reported that during a routine test flight, he felt an abnormal vibration and decided to divert to a nearby airport. After noting the wind conditions, the pilot entered the airport traffic pattern and proceeded to execute a wheel landing in the tailwheel-equipped airplane. As the tailwheel settled onto the runway, the airplane immediately veered to the right. Despite the pilot's control and brake inputs, the airplane continued to veer to the right and exited the runway. Subsequently, the airplane came to rest in a nose-low attitude adjacent to the runway surface. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the left and right top and bottom wing assemblies and fuselage were structurally damaged. Flight control continuity was established throughout the airplane to all flight controls. Movement of the tailwheel by hand revealed that it locked into its normal turning radius and subsequently broke free with little pressure. No anomalies could be found with the airframe; however, examination of the runway revealed a black rubber transfer mark with a width corresponding to the width of the airplane's tailwheel. The mark was not linear, but had a zigzag shape consistent with the tailwheel shimmying. The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows: Loss of control during the landing roll for undetermined reasons.
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Accident occurred Friday, February 20, 2009 in Caldwell, ID
Probable Cause Approval Date: 5/12/2009
Aircraft: CESSNA 182, registration: N4729D
Injuries: 2 Minor.
The pilot reported that after a 1.5-hour pleasure flight, he entered the traffic pattern for landing. He reduced power to idle and applied carburetor heat. He turned onto the base leg and then onto final approach. The pilot noted the airplane was too low and attempted to add power, but there was no response from the engine. The airplane touched down short of the runway, impacted the airport's chain link perimeter fence, nosed over, and came to rest inverted. The pilot reported that he was in a glide with the power at idle for about 30 seconds and that he did not clear the engine during the glide. The reported temperature and dew point at the airport were 3 and -2 degrees Celsius, respectively. Plotting these values on a carburetor icing chart indicated the airplane was operating in conditions conductive to serious icing at descent power. The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows: The loss of engine power due to carburetor icing as a result of the pilot's failure to apply carburetor heat before reducing power and his failure to clear the engine during a prolonged glide.
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Accident occurred Tuesday, July 29, 2008 in Caldwell, ID
Probable Cause Approval Date: 8/28/2008
Aircraft: WSL PZL Mielec, registration: N81541
Injuries: 1 Minor.
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 National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows: The pilot failed to maintain clearance from a power line while maneuvering. Contributing to the accident was a vehicle.
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Accident occurred Tuesday, November 14, 2006 in Caldwell, ID
Probable Cause Approval Date: 5/29/2007
Aircraft: Piper PA-28-140, registration: N2390T
Injuries: 2 Uninjured.
The pilot reported the engine lost power due to fuel exhaustion while on short final to the destination airport. The accident occurred during the final leg of a 335 nautical mile VFR cross-country flight. The pilot stated that after losing power he initiated a forced landing to an open field approximately 1/4 mile short of the runway. The airplane encountered rough/uneven terrain during the landing sequence and sustained substantial damage to the wing assembly. The accident flight was the aircraft's second flight after being topped off with fuel. The first flight commenced on November 13, however, due to deteriorating weather conditions the pilot returned to the departure airport approximately 45 minutes after departure. The aircraft was not refueled prior to the accident flight. The pilot reported the flight took longer than expected due to higher than forecasted headwinds.   The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows: The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning by failing to refuel while en route which resulted in fuel exhaustion and loss of engine power while on approach to the airport. Rough/uneven terrain was a factor.