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Casualties unknown

Passenger Illness Leads to Control Interference and Short Landing (N2746K)

Ramsey, MN, US

On May 21, 1989, a Luscombe 8F (registration N2746K) was involved in an aviation accident near Ramsey, MN. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The passenger became ill and bent forward, causing control interference during final approach. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

During a passenger's first flight, she became ill and bent forward on final approach, causing control interference. The pilot landed short of the runway, colliding with a ditch, and the aircraft nosed over inverted.

Incident Overview

While returning to the airport after providing a passenger with her first airplane ride, the passenger became ill. During the final approach, the passenger bent forward, which caused control interference in the side-by-side stick configured aircraft.

Pilot Actions and Landing

The pilot reported difficulty maintaining control of the aircraft. The subsequent landing occurred approximately 100 yards short of the runway, where the aircraft collided with a seven-foot-deep ditch. The impact caused the aircraft to nose over into an inverted position.

Aircraft Configuration

The aircraft was equipped with side-by-side control sticks, which allowed the passenger's movement to interfere with the controls.

Probable cause

The passenger became ill and bent forward, causing control interference during final approach.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 21 May 1989 Luscombe 8F accident near Ramsey, MN?

During a passenger's first flight, she became ill and bent forward on final approach, causing control interference. The pilot landed short of the runway, colliding with a ditch, and the aircraft nosed over inverted.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 21 May 1989 involved a Luscombe 8F, registration N2746K, at Ramsey, MN.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The passenger became ill and bent forward, causing control interference during final approach.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X28405. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.