Pilot Debrief

Commonwealth 185 near Roanoke, TX — 2008-05-24

Final reportDEN08LA096
Sign in to save
Date
2008-05-24
Location
Roanoke, TX, USA
Aircraft
Commonwealth 185
Registration
N33384
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

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.

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.

NTSB coding

View NTSB final report

Related mishaps