On August 3, 2007, a Luscombe 8E (registration N45486) operated by Gerald Meyer was involved in an aviation accident near Polson, MT. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: a flight control jam for undetermined reasons. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During a left base-to-final turn, the pilot experienced jammed controls, losing roll control despite applying rudder and power. The aircraft completed two full rotations before landing gear struck the ground, causing a cartwheel and inverted rest. The pilot was uninjured and subsequent checks found no control binding.
Accident Sequence
The pilot was executing a left turn from base leg to final approach when the flight controls jammed. He attempted to compensate by applying rudder and increasing engine power, but roll control was not restored. Reducing power, he scanned the cockpit for any obstruction that might be binding the controls, but found none. The aircraft continued its left turn, completing two full rotations (720 degrees) until the main landing gear contacted the ground. Upon ground contact, the airplane cartwheeled and came to rest inverted. The pilot exited the aircraft uninjured.
Post-Accident Examination
After the accident, the pilot reported to an FAA inspector that when it was safe to approach the aircraft, he checked the controls and found that they were no longer jammed or binding; they functioned normally. The on-scene FAA inspector examined the aircraft's control system and found no evidence of binding or jammed controls.