Polson Airport
Aircraft Accident/Incident Report

Polson, Montana 59901
Saturday, June 7, 2014 7:00 MDT

On June 7, 2014, about 0700 mountain daylight time, an experimental light sport Northwing Apache Sport, N2804P, collided with terrain following takeoff from Polson Airport, Polson, Montana. The weight-shift-control aircraft was registered to a private party and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The private pilot sustained fatal injuries. The aircraft sustained substantial damage during the accident sequence. The local flight departed Polson about 0658. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. According to the aircraft owner, the accident pilot owned a similar aircraft to the accident type, but equipped with floats. The accident pilot had requested that they remove the standard wing from the aircraft, so that he could use it on his. In return, he would temporarily install a smaller wing on the accident aircraft. The owner agreed, and both he and the pilot spent the prior evening attaching the smaller wing, completing the installation by 2300. The owner was concerned that the wing may not be the correct type for the aircraft, and was particularly anxious about center of gravity issues. The pilot stated that he would fly the aircraft on his own in the morning, cautiously takeoff, and fly low over the runway while ascertaining the handling characteristics. If it could be controlled safely, he would then continue the climb and perform practice maneuvers. The following morning, the owner observed the first flight with the smaller wing installed. He watched as the pilot held the nose off the ground for a long period during rotation, and then depart. The aircraft climbed uneventfully to about 600-800 feet above ground level, and then began to circle back towards midfield. It turned east in the direction of the adjacent fairground, and appeared to be setting up for a crosswind approach to join the right downwind leg for runway 18. The owner was confused by this maneuver, as he felt landing was premature. The aircraft then suddenly rolled into a steep banking turn. The turn continued through 360 degrees, progressing into a "corkscrew" descent. He did not hear the sound of the engine producing power during the descent, and initially thought the pilot was performing a corkscrew maneuver to descend and land. However, the aircraft did not roll out as the spin progressed, and as it developed he was expecting to see the ballistic recovery parachute deploy. After between 6 to 8 revolutions the aircraft descended out of his view. He surmised that there was plenty of time and altitude to fire the ballistic recovery parachute, and he was surprised that the pilot hadn't done so. Another witness, located in a recreational vehicle park adjoining the west side of the airport, observed an "ultralight" aircraft flying from the direction of the airport at an altitude that seemed appropriate based on his prior observations of departing aircraft. He initially thought it was his friend flying, and waved to him. He observed the pilot's arm moving, and assumed that he was waving back. The aircraft continued, and then initiated a steep and rapid banking turn, which quickly progressed into a spin. The aircraft continued spiraling until it descended and out of his view. The aircraft came to rest in the recreational vehicle park, at the foot of a series of utility lines. None of the lines were damaged, and the aircraft sustained crush damage to the entire cabin structure. The ballistic recovery parachute had not deployed.

Not Yet Reported