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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

August 3, 2007 · Luscombe 8E · N45486

Polson, MT

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 3, 2007
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Polson, MT
Aircraft
Luscombe 8E
Tail Number
N45486
Operator
Gerald Meyer
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX07LA240

The pilot was turning left base to final when the controls jammed. He applied rudder and added power in an attempt to compensate, but roll control was not regained. He reduced power and examined the cockpit area to see if anything was binding the controls. He did not identify anything in the cockpit that could have caused the binding. The airplane continued left thru two full turns (720 degrees) before the main landing gear contacted the ground, at which point the airplane cartwheeled and came to rest inverted. He egressed the airplane uninjured. The pilot stated to an FAA inspector that when he knew it was safe to approach the airplane, he checked the controls to see if they were still jammed and determined that they were no longer binding or jammed. They functioned normally. The on-scene FAA inspector examined the airplane's control system and could not identify any evidence of binding or jammed controls.

NTSB Probable Cause

a flight control jam for undetermined reasons.

Full Narrative

On August 3, 2007, about 0900 mountain daylight time, a Luscombe 8E, N45486, impacted terrain while turning base to runway 36 at Polson Airport, Polson, Montana. The private pilot operated the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot was not injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight originated at Livingston, Montana, about 0630. The pilot reported to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that as he was turning left base for final the controls jammed. He applied rudder and added power in an attempt to compensate but roll control was not regained. He reduced power and examined the cockpit area to see if anything was binding the controls. He did not identify anything in the cockpit that could have caused the binding. The airplane continued left thru two full turns (720 degrees) before the main landing gear contacted the ground, at which point the airplane cartwheeled and came to rest inverted. He egressed the airplane uninjured. The pilot stated to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector that when he knew it was safe to approach the airplane, he checked the controls to see if they were still jammed and determined that they were no longer binding or jammed. They functioned normally. The on-scene FAA inspector examined the airplane's control system and could not identify any evidence of binding or jammed controls.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:00 MDT
Nearest AirportPolson Airport (0nm)
Runway36
Runway Length4195 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftLuscombe 8E
Tail NumberN45486
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorGerald Meyer
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsTeledyne Continental · C-85-12 · Reciprocating · 85
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 62 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 0 C
Altimeter29.98 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data