AOPA will be closed on Monday, January 19th. We will reopen on Tuesday, January 20th at 8:30 a.m. ET.
News & Media Pilot charged with flying under influence following accident

Pilot charged with flying under influence following accident

January 15, 2026 By Jim Moore

An Idaho pilot pleaded not guilty January 14 to a state charge of operating an aircraft under the influence of alcohol or drugs following a November 8 accident during an apparent landing attempt after sunset in the state capital.

Data recorded by Global ADS-B Exchange of the November 8 accident involving a Kitfox (N14PM) that, according to city police, struck a traffic signal before landing near an intersection shows that the aircraft descended to about 500 feet above the ground while on the downwind leg, turned final more than a mile from the runway with which it was aligned, and came to rest about 2,500 feet from Runway 10L. Google Earth image.
Data recorded by Global ADS-B Exchange of the November 8 accident involving a Kitfox (N14PM) that, according to city police, struck a traffic signal before landing near an intersection shows that the aircraft descended to about 500 feet above the ground while on the downwind leg, turned final more than a mile from the runway with which it was aligned, and came to rest about 2,500 feet from Runway 10L. Google Earth image.

Court records show Michael Wayne Verzwyvelt, of Twin Falls, Idaho, is represented by Boise attorney Rob Lewis, who did not immediately return a call seeking comment. Judge Susan Clark set bond at $2,000 in December, and a pre-trial conference was scheduled for March 9.

An NTSB preliminary report on the November 8 accident near Boise Air Terminal/Gowen Field indicates skies were clear with 10 miles visibility around the time of the accident that injured the pilot and passenger aboard the Kitfox registered to Verzwyvelt.

The aircraft, returning to the Boise area about an hour after sunset following a flight into the mountains, struck a traffic signal before coming to rest at the intersection of two local roads, about 2,500 feet from the threshold of Runway 10L, according to the NTSB report and local media reports that include photos from the scene, as well as statements from police and firefighters.

Police told local media that officers trained in drunk driving enforcement responded to the scene, and their investigation resulted in a criminal charge and arrest warrant. The state statute prohibiting operation of an aircraft under the influence of alcohol or drugs is very similar to FAR 91.17, and both set the blood alcohol limit at 0.04. A first offense of driving under the influence in Idaho is a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail and a $2,000 fine, and the judge may also require alcohol education and installation of an ignition interlock device. Federal regulations state the FAA administrator may evaluate blood test results "in determining a person's qualifications for any airman certificate or possible violations of this chapter."

ADS-B data recorded by Global ADS-B Exchange shows the aircraft flew to Boise from Twin Falls on the morning of the accident flight, then departed Gowen Field and flew into the mountains around noon local time. The ADS-B trail picks up about six hours later, at 6:20 p.m. local time, as the aircraft returned to Boise, and ends at the intersection of local roads noted in media and NTSB reports as the accident location.

According to the FAA airman registry, Verzwyvelt was issued a private pilot certificate in 2021 and an experimental aircraft repairman/builder certificate September 11, 2024. A third class medical certificate was issued in June 2024 with a corrective lens requirement.

Jim Moore
Jim Moore
Managing Editor-Digital Media
Digital Media Managing Editor Jim Moore joined AOPA in 2011 and is an instrument-rated private pilot, as well as a certificated remote pilot, who enjoys competition aerobatics and flying drones.
Go to Jim Moore's Profile
Topics: Accident

Related Articles