Carbon Cub FX-2 Crash in Idaho Kills Two After Power Line Strike

A Carbon Cub FX-2 crashed near Montour, Idaho, on Jan. 27, 2026, after striking unmarked power lines over the frozen Payette River reservoir, killing the pilot and passenger. The aircraft, registered N126C, was a Cub Crafters CCX-1865 FX-2 flown by local meteorologist Roland Detum.

The NTSB preliminary report, released Feb. 19, shows impact marks on the left main landing gear and indicates the aircraft nosed over onto the ice. ADS-B data placed the aircraft at 2,125 feet MSL approximately 550 feet east of the incident site before the fatal wire strike. The report notes the pilot had completed a solo pattern flight and was carrying a rated passenger as part of a CubCrafters demonstration program.

The incident highlights ongoing hazards of low-altitude backcountry operations near unmarked transmission lines, a risk factor in other recent aviation accidents. The NTSB investigation remains ongoing, with the full docket (WPR24FA083) to provide additional details upon completion.