Aeronca 65-CA accident near Polson, Montana, September 4, 2003
On September 4, 2003 at about 11:58 am local time, a Aeronca 65-CA, registered N33865, was substantially damaged in an accident near Polson, Montana. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
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.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 4, 2003 · about 11:58 am local time · cases in 2003
- Place
- Polson, Montana · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Aeronca 65-CA · all 65-CAs on the register
- Registration
- N33865 · no longer on the register · serial CA13931
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 600 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (expired)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,719 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 30, 2002
- Maximum gross weight: 1,260 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental C65 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: S09 Hot Springs MT at 11:40 am
- Destination: 8S1 Polson MT
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: night
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 46°F (8°C), dew point 37°F (3°C)
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observation at 11:55 am from FCA, 38 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Connections how this case links to the rest of the register
- N33865: not on the register today · the record of its deregistration
- Aeronca 65 Chief and Super Chief 377 registered today · the model family and its accident history
- Aeronca 3,953 aircraft on the register
- Engine: Continental C65 · as the NTSB recorded it
- Hot Springs Airport · departed from
- Polson Airport · bound for
- Accidents and incidents in Montana 1,121 since 1982 · 166 in the last ten years
- Montana 6,047 aircraft registered
The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/SEA03LA185.json.
The bigger picture in Aviation Analytics: accidents over time since 1982, by model, by phase of flight and conditions, by place and on the map.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text does not name anyone involved, its policy at this time. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.