4 fatal · Piper PA-24-180 · 2004-06-17 · Great Bend, KS, USA
Event
NTSB number
CHI04FA157
Event ID
20040706X00907
Type
Accident
Date
2004-06-17
Location
Great Bend, KS, USA
Coordinates
38.321109, -98.790832
Injuries
Highest injury
FATL
Fatal
4
Serious
0
Minor
0
Uninjured
0
Total aboard
4
Aircraft
Make
Piper
Model
PA-24-180
Registration
N6698P
FAR Part
091
Engines
1
Damage
DEST
Conditions
Light
NDRK
Weather
IMC
Probable cause
The pilot's inadequate preflight planning due to his failure to obtain a weather briefing prior to takeoff. Additional causes were the pilot's inadvertent flight into adverse weather and his failure to maintain clearance with the terrain during his attempt to return to the departure airport. Contributing factors were the pilot's impairment due to alcohol, the low altitude at which the aircraft was flying, the thunderstorms and associated turbulence in the area, the low ceilings, and the dark night lighting conditions.