Caden West Idaho Obituary, Death: Remembering a Young Pilot Who Died After Tragic Plane Crash
Caden Max West, a 27-year-old man from Pocatello, Idaho, has died following a tragic airplane accident in Blackfoot. His death has left his family, friends and members of the local community mourning the loss of a young pilot who was pursuing his dream of flying professionally.
According to his published obituary, Caden died on August 1, 2026, after an airplane accident. His brother, Myles West, and close friend Jaxson Homer were also aboard the aircraft and survived the crash. The obituary says Caden died doing what he loved, in the cockpit pursuing the aviation career he had worked toward.
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The crash occurred at approximately 11 p.m. at the Blackfoot City Airport, according to the Blackfoot Police Department. Emergency responders arrived after the aircraft went down on the north end of the airport. Caden suffered fatal injuries, while Myles and Jaxson were seriously injured and transported to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center. The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the circumstances of the crash, and the cause has not been established publicly.
Remembering Caden West
Caden's obituary paints a picture of a young man who pursued his interests with determination and enthusiasm. Born January 16, 1999, he was an Eagle Scout and later served a Spanish-speaking mission in Cincinnati, Ohio. His family described him as curious, hardworking and someone who enjoyed learning about subjects that interested him.
He earned a finance degree from Brigham Young University-Idaho and explored several professional paths, including corporate finance, sales and construction. Eventually, however, he decided to pursue aviation, a decision that reflected a long-standing passion for flying.
His obituary states that Caden had accumulated approximately 170 hours of flight time and was working toward his goal of becoming a commercial airline pilot. His father, Jason West, told EastIdahoNews.com that Caden loved flying and was working toward a career with the airlines.
Caden's interest in aviation was also influenced by his experiences filming the Iditarod in Alaska. According to his obituary, he spent two years working on the event with Greg Heister, experiencing difficult conditions and flying in remote areas. Those experiences helped strengthen his desire to pursue a life in aviation.
Family was central to Caden's life. His obituary describes a particularly close relationship with his brothers, noting that they spoke every day and considered one another best friends. His relationship with his parents was also deeply meaningful, with his father sharing interests with him in flying, business, motorcycles and investing.
The tragedy has been particularly painful because the flight was reportedly intended as a short trip to celebrate Caden's new pilot license. According to reporting from EastIdahoNews.com, Caden, Myles and Jaxson took the aircraft for a flight around the Blackfoot airport before the plane went down shortly after takeoff.
Funeral and Memorial Services
Caden's family has invited people who knew him to share memories, photographs, videos and stories as they celebrate his life. His funeral service is scheduled for August 15 at Highland Stake Center in Pocatello, with visitation preceding the service. Burial is scheduled to follow at Bennington Cemetery in Montpelier, Idaho.
Caden West is survived by his parents, Dr. Jason West and Maxine Hanks West, and his brothers Carter, Myles, Dalton and Merrick. His family, friends and aviation community are now remembering him for his determination, curiosity, warmth and unwavering pursuit of his dream.
His life ended at just 27, but the memories shared by those closest to him reflect a young man who had already accomplished much and was excited about the future. For his loved ones, Caden's passion for flying will remain an important part of the legacy he leaves behind.