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Pilot's Blood Alcohol Level Exceeds Legal Limit During IFR Flight to Pellston (N4920M)

Pellston, MI, US

On January 22, 1999, a Beech 95-C55 (registration N4920M) was involved in an aviation accident near Pellston, MI. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot's failure to maintain proper altitude/clearance on the approach and his flight into known icing conditions. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

An IFR flight from Detroit City to Pellston received reports of moderate icing and low ceilings. The pilot was cleared for an ILS approach; last position was 15 nm southeast. Toxicology revealed 0.043% ethanol in the pilot's blood, exceeding the 0.04% legal limit.

Flight Details

The flight operated under an IFR flight plan from Detroit City, Michigan, to Pellston, Michigan. While en route, Minneapolis Center advised the pilot of the weather conditions at Pellston: a ceiling of 600 feet above ground level, visibility of 5 miles, light freezing drizzle, and freezing fog. Additionally, a pilot report from a preceding Northwest Airlink Saab 340 indicated moderate ice accumulation beginning at 3,000 feet mean sea level.

Approach and Last Position

The pilot received clearance for the Instrument Landing System (ILS) approach to runway 32 at Pellston Regional Airport. The airplane's last recorded position was 15 nautical miles southeast of the airport, at an altitude of 3,600 feet MSL.

Aircraft Examination

A post-flight examination of the airplane revealed no mechanical anomalies. However, a review of the maintenance records showed that the left propeller deice slinger had been removed from the propeller spinner bulkhead in June 1998.

Toxicology Results

The FAA conducted toxicology testing on specimens from the pilot. The results indicated a blood ethanol concentration of 0.043 percent by weight. Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, section 91.17(a)(4), prohibits any person from acting or attempting to act as a crewmember of a civil aircraft with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.04 percent or more.

Icing

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 22 Jan 1999 Beech 95-C55 accident near Pellston, MI?

An IFR flight from Detroit City to Pellston received reports of moderate icing and low ceilings. The pilot was cleared for an ILS approach; last position was 15 nm southeast. Toxicology revealed 0.043% ethanol in the pilot's blood, exceeding the 0.04% legal limit.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 22 Jan 1999 involved a Beech 95-C55, registration N4920M, at Pellston, MI.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

the pilot's failure to maintain proper altitude/clearance on the approach and his flight into known icing conditions. Factors relating to this accident were the pilot flying with known equipment deficiencies, the pilot's physical impairment (alcohol), the icing conditions, and the trees.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001204X00016. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.