Commonwealth 185 N33384

Summary

On 24 May 2008 at about 21:30 local time, a Commonwealth 185 registered N33384 was involved in an accident near Roanoke, Texas, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

24 May 2008 at 21:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Roanoke, Texas, United States

Coordinates

33.0497, -97.2322

Aircraft

Commonwealth 185

Registration

N33384

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Rhome → Roanoke

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

DEN08LA096

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot's physiologic impairment and failure to attain the proper touchdown point during an intentional off airport landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper in-flight planning.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot, a diabetic on insulin, was in cruise flight when he felt ill due to low blood sugar. Though he was only two miles from his destination airport, he elected to land in a field. During the approach he was too high, and "could not get down in time." During the landing, he struck an embankment resulting in substantial damage to the airplane. An examination of the airplane systems revealed no anomalies. The pilot had not attempted to obtain a medical certificate after being diagnosed with diabetes in 2000, and had not accomplished a flight review since 2001. Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), which is most commonly seen in diabetics on insulin, can lead to behavioral changes, confusion, fatigue, seizures, and loss of consciousness.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.