Overview
On June 18, 2024, at 2009 mountain daylight time, a Beech 58P airplane, registration N9NS, was substantially damaged during an accident near Escalante, Utah. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 executive/corporate flight.
Pilot Report
According to the pilot, while en route to the destination at a cruising altitude of 21,000 ft, the windshield broke apart without warning. The pilot experienced the force of an explosive decompression. He immediately donned his oxygen mask and initiated an emergency descent. He decided to divert to the nearest airport and landed without further incident at Page Municipal Airport in Page, Arizona.
Postaccident Examination
A postaccident examination of the aircraft revealed that portions of the windshield remained in the frame, while the center area had departed the airplane. A portion of the anti-ice heating element, known as the hot plate, remained attached to the frame.
Aircraft Records
A review of the airplane records showed that the aircraft was repainted in 1993. The windshield was replaced with a new factory windshield in May 1995 at a total time of 2,284.7 hours, accumulating 1,972 hours of flight time before the accident. In April 2024, the windshield hot plate was resealed.