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NTSB Report
September 2, 1991 · Piper PA-22-150 · N6136D
Emporia, KS
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 2, 1991
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Emporia, KS
Aircraft
Piper PA-22-150
Tail Number
N6136D
Operator
Dale R Opitz
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI91LA282
A PRIVATE PILOT PURCHASED AN AIRPLANE AND FLEW TWO LEGS TOWARD HOME BEFORE STOPPING FOR THE NIGHT. HE DEPARTED EARLY THE NEXT DAY IN VMC. FOLLOWING AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED FOG. HE INITIATED A TURN TO REVERSE COURSE, BUT THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK RISING TERRAIN (HILLSIDE) ABOUT ONE HALF MILE FROM THE HIGHWAY.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT'S VFR FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS (IMC), AND HIS DELAY IN TAKING REMEDIAL ACTION. THE WEATHER (FOG) WAS A RELATED FACTOR.
Full Narrative
A PRIVATE PILOT PURCHASED AN AIRPLANE AND FLEW TWO LEGS TOWARD HOME BEFORE STOPPING FOR THE NIGHT. HE DEPARTED EARLY THE NEXT DAY IN VMC. FOLLOWING AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED FOG. HE INITIATED A TURN TO REVERSE COURSE, BUT THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK RISING TERRAIN (HILLSIDE) ABOUT ONE HALF MILE FROM THE HIGHWAY.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:00 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-22-150
Tail NumberN6136D
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorDale R Opitz
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-A1A · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 67 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT