# NTSB SEA03LA185: Aeronca 65-CA, N33865, Polson, MT, September 4, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 4, 2003, 05:58 local (11:58 UTC) - Place: Polson, MT - Coordinates: 47.666667, -114.216667 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.6667&lon=-114.2167&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report March 2, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 57871 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA03LA185 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57871/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA03LA185 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from an object while maneuvering and alcohol impairment. Transmission wires, dark night conditions, and drug impairment were factors. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor) - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - light condition - dark night (contributing factor) - impairment(drugs), pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The aircraft took off in dark night smoky conditions during early morning hours. The purpose of the flight is unknown and the flights destination is unknown. Prior to daylight, the aircraft collided with transmission lines about 40 feet above ground level. Three lines run between towers and the aircraft severed one line, while the remaining two lines showed signs of impact damage. The aircraft came to rest inverted below the lines. Toxicological analysis was positive for high levels of ethanol in blood (0.190%), urine (0.472%), and vitreous (0.239%). Tetrahydrocannabinol (the primary active substance in marihuana) was detected in blood. Oxazepam, a prescription tranquilizer, was detected in blood and urine. ## Factual narrative On September 4, 2003, at 0558 mountain daylight time, an Aeronca 65-CA, N33865, registered to and operated by the pilot as a 14 CFR Part 91 flight, collided with high tension power lines and subsequently the ground near Polson, Montana. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft was substantially damaged and the commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was fatally injured. It is believed that the flight departed from Hot Springs, Montana, approximately 15 minutes prior to the accident. The purpose of the flight is unknown and the flights destination is unknown. The terrain in the vicinity of the accident site was flat to rolling. Power company personnel reported that the power to the line failed at 0558. The elevation of the power line was estimated at 40 feet above ground level. Three lines run between towers. Two of the lines remained intact, while the third line was severed. One of the intact lines showed evidence of white paint transfer on the cable. The other intact cable showed evidence that a couple of the strands within the cable were severed. The aircraft wreckage was located below the lines. The aircraft came to rest inverted. The right wing was severely deformed, while the left wing remained relatively intact. The left main landing gear separated from the aircraft. The right main landing gear remained attached, however, bent aft. The nose of the aircraft was crushed aft. The propeller remained attached to the crankshaft. One propeller blade displayed severe "S" bending deformation. The other propeller blade was bent aft. The U.S. Naval Observatory, Astronomical Applications Department reported that on September 4, 2003, civil twilight began at 0627, with sunrise at 0659. The nearest weather reporting facility located 39 miles northwest of the accident site at Glacier Park International Airport, Kalispell, Montana, was reporting at 0555 a visibility of 5 statute miles and smoke. The wind was calm. At the time of the accident, the pilot held a commercial flight certificate for single-engine aircraft with an instrument rating. The pilot's flight logbook has not been located. The Federal Aviation Administration Aeromedical division reported that the last medical certificate issued to the pilot was a Class II, dated December 13, 1989. At this time the pilot reported a total flight time of 600 hours. A postmortem was performed on the pilot by Gary Dale, M.D., State Medical Examiner, Montana Division of Forensic Science, Missoula, Montana. The pilot's cause of death was reported as multiple blunt force injuries. Toxicological samples were sent to the Federal Aviation Administration Civil Aeromedical Institute for analysis. The results of the analysis were positive for Ethanol in blood, urine, vitreous and brain. Acetaldehyde was positive in blood, urine and brain. Oxazepam was detected in blood and urine. Tetrahydrocannabinol (marihuana) was detected in blood. Tetrahydrocannabinol Carboxylic Acid (marihuana) was detected in blood and urine. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N33865](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N33865-2006-09-21), registration cancelled 2006-09-21, S/N CA13931, built 1941 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Aeronca 65-CA - Registry model: [Aeronca 65-CA](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-65-ca) (registry code 0190922) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: CA13931 - Airframe hours: 1719 - Engines: Continental C65 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: William G. Johnson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 30, 2002 - Departed: S09, Hot Springs, MT - Destination: 8S1, Polson, MT ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; injuries: fatal; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, expired; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 600 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: calm - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: FCA, 38 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20030904021999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030904021999A), Sep 4, 2003: Trytek 65CA, Polson, MT, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. (-23) On September 4, 2003 at 05:58 local time, an aircraft (N33865) struck a 16 kv, three strand set of power lines, 6 nautical miles southwest of the Polson,… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.