# NTSB Accident CHI04FA157
> **Piper PA-24-180** · 2004-06-17 · Great Bend, KS, USA · FATL
## 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.

---
*Source: [NTSB CAROL](https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-main-public/basic-search?source=ntsb&type=event&ntsb_number=CHI04FA157) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*