Plane Crash Kills Golfer Payne Stewart
Incapacitation of Flight Crew Members Blamed for Accident
Tragedy Strikes in South Dakota
In a tragic accident that shook the world of golf, PGA Tour player Payne Stewart died when the plane he was piloting crashed in South Dakota on October 25, 1999. The probable cause of the crash, according to investigators, was the incapacitation of the flight crew members due to a lack of supplemental oxygen following a loss of cabin pressurization.
The plane, a Learjet 35, took off from Orlando, Florida, at 10:50 a.m. local time. It was scheduled to land in Dallas, Texas, but never arrived. At 12:13 p.m., the plane crashed in a quiet pasture on Hoffmans cattle farm, approximately 10 miles from Aberdeen, South Dakota.
On board the plane were Stewart, 42; his agent, Robert Fraley, 52; two friends, Van Ardan, 37, and Bruce Borland, 42; and the two pilots, Michael Kling, 52, and Stephanie Bellegarrigue, 36.
The plane had been flying at an altitude of approximately 28,000 feet when it began to experience problems. According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the cabin lost pressurization, causing the occupants to lose consciousness. The plane then entered a steep dive and crashed into the ground.
Fighter jets were scrambled to locate the missing plane, which was finally spotted by a KC-135 tanker aircraft. The tanker crew reported that the plane was flying erratically and appeared to be unresponsive.
The crash of Stewart's plane was a devastating loss for the golfing community. Stewart was one of the most popular and respected players on the PGA Tour, known for his aggressive style of play and his charismatic personality. He had won 11 PGA Tour events, including three major championships.
The accident also served as a reminder of the dangers of flying. Even in the hands of experienced pilots, aircraft malfunctions can have catastrophic consequences. The NTSB's investigation into the crash of Payne Stewart's plane helped to identify the risks associated with cabin depressurization and the importance of proper oxygen procedures.
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