Investigations into fatal plane crash near Arco airport continue – LocalNews8.com

BUTTE COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) — Two planes collided in Butte County on Thursday, killing one pilot and seriously injuring the other. The accident occurred just before 1 p.m. near the Arco Airport. The identities of the pilots have not yet been released.

A National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator was on site Friday. According to an NTSB official, these investigations include three main areas: the pilot, the aircraft and the operating environment. Investigators are looking at the following factors to determine what may have caused a crash:

• Records of all air traffic control communications
• Aircraft maintenance records
• Weather forecasts and actual weather and lighting conditions at the time of the accident
• Pilot license, authorizations and current flight experience
• 72-hour pilot background to determine if there were any issues that may have affected the pilot’s ability to safely conduct the flight
• Witness statements
• Electronic devices that may contain information relevant to the investigation
• All available surveillance videos, including doorbell cameras

The Butte County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Aviation Administration are also investigating.

The two aircraft involved in the crash were an Air Tractor AT-802 and an Air Tractor AT-502B. According to the Aviation Safety Network, the last fatal crash involving an 802 occurred in Missouri in August 2023. Most recently, an Air Tractor 502 collided with another aircraft in Texas on June 14, six days before the Arco incident. A pilot died in that crash as well.

Andrew Mickelsen is a local farmer and pilot. During the growing season, he coordinates agricultural aircraft to spray herbicides or insecticides on his fields as needed. Mickelsen says agricultural aircraft spraying requires strong pilot skills due to the low altitude and manual operation of cockpit instruments.

“You see them – in some of their applications – just a few meters above the ground, following the contours of the ground to give us the best possible job,” he said. “And that increases the risks and dangers significantly.”

As a member of the farming and pilot communities, he says fatal accidents while spraying crops are rare in this area. He personally knows people affected by the deaths in this incident. He says his thoughts and prayers are with those who are grieving.

“It’s not only a tragic loss for aviation, but also for agriculture,” Mickelsen said. “We mourn with those who are grieving today… We know this is a difficult time right now as we have lost one of our own and one of them. So we are with them in deep mourning.”

Previous reports on this plane crash can be found HERE.