Beechcraft G35 N4552D

Summary

On 6 July 1997 at about 16:05 local time, a Beechcraft G35 registered N4552D was involved in an accident near Jackson, Wyoming, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

6 July 1997 at 16:05

Classification

Accident

Location

Jackson, Wyoming, United States

Nearest airport

Jackson Hole (JAC)

Coordinates

43.4702, -110.7601

Aircraft

Beechcraft G35

Registration

N4552D

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Worland → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA97LA159

1 person was seriously injured.

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

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

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%.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.