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NTSB Report

July 6, 1997 · Beech G35 · N4552D

Jackson, WY

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 6, 1997
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Jackson, WY
Aircraft
Beech G35
Tail Number
N4552D
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA97LA159

The pilot reported that on the day of the accident, he was up before daylight to get a weather briefing for the continuation of his flight. The pilot stated that he did not have breakfast and was 'painfully hungry' before departure. The departure airport field elevation is 4,245 feet msl. After takeoff, the pilot climbed to 12,500 feet, and when he tried to open the valve for the oxygen, he reported that he could not turn it because his hand was too weak. The pilot continued the flight and reported that he was confused about turning points, altitudes, distances, and that he felt 'woosy.' The pilot reported that as he approached his destination, he had difficulty determining pattern altitude and that he was having trouble staying awake. The pilot stated that while on final approach, the airplane was low, and with great difficulty, he pushed the throttle forward. As the aircraft crossed over the end of the runway, the pilot did not feel that he was doing anything to control the airplane and that he felt that he was half asleep. The airplane landed hard and fast with the throttle still open. The airplane turned off to the left and exited the side of the runway. The nose gear collapsed and the airplane nosed over. The pilot also reported that shortly after admission to the hospital at Jackson he was told that his blood oxygen level was still down at only 60%.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control. Hypoxia and hypoglycemia were physical impairment factors.

Full Narrative

On July 6, 1997, at 1005 mountain daylight time, a Beech G35, N4552D, registered to and operated by the pilot as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, ran off the side of the runway and nosed over during the landing roll at Jackson, Wyoming. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged and the airline transport pilot received serious injuries. The flight had departed from Worland, Wyoming, earlier in the day. In a written statement, the pilot reported that the flight originally began on July 3, 1997, from Poughkeepsie, New York. The first leg of the flight was from Poughkeepsie, NY to Findlay, OH, for a fuel stop, then onto Sioux Falls, SD. The pilot reported that the day's flight was 9 hours and 45 minutes of flight time in instrument meteorological conditions. On July 4, 1997, the pilot took off from Sioux Falls at 0927 in visual meteorological conditions and flew to Spearfish, SD. The flight duration was two hours and 30 minutes. On July 5, 1997, the pilot stated that he took off from Spearfish fairly early in the morning and flew at 12,500 feet to Jackson, WY, until he had to turn around due to heavy rainstorms. The pilot diverted to Worland, WY, and landed after two hours and 30 minutes in the air. The pilot stated that he did not have lunch that day and his dinner that night in Worland was "tasteless and unappetizing." On July 6, 1997, the pilot reported that he was up before daylight and called Flight Service for the weather for his flight to Jackson. The pilot was advised to get an early start due to thunderstorm activity over the mountains on the route to Jackson. The pilot stated that he did not have breakfast and was "painfully hungry" before he took off from Worland. After takeoff, the pilot climbed to 12,500 feet. The pilot stated that he felt hungry and weak, and when he tried to open the valve for the oxygen, his hand was too weak to open the valve. The pilot continued the flight and stated that he was confused about turning points, altitudes, distances, and he felt "woosy." As the flight approached the Jackson area, the pilot maneuvered for landing, and had stated that he had difficulty determining pattern altitude and staying awake. The pilot stated that he put the flaps down on final approach and was continuing to have difficulty staying awake. The pilot noticed that he was low on final, and stated that with great difficulty, he pushed the throttle forward. The pilot stated that as the airplane crossed over the end of the runway, he felt that he was half asleep and not doing anything to control the airplane. The airplane landed hard and turned off to the left and exited the side of the runway. The pilot stated that the throttle was still open and he could not figure out why he was not slowing down. Finally the nose gear collapsed and the airplane nosed over. Witnesses reported that the airplane touched down very fast and then veered off the side of the runway. The witnesses who were the first to arrive at the accident site and who assisted the pilot in evacuating the airplane, reported that the pilot was disoriented and appeared "hypoxic." When the pilot was asked if he had been using oxygen, the pilot reported that he had been flying at 12,500 and that he couldn't reach the oxygen while in flight.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:05 MDT
Nearest AirportJackson Hole (0nm)
Runway18
Runway Length6299 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBeech G35
Tail NumberN4552D
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · E-225-8 · Reciprocating · 225
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 91 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind190° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 43 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time15:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data