# NTSB CHI91LA282: Piper PA-22-150, N6136D, Emporia, KS, September 2, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 2, 1991, 07:00 local (12:00 UTC)
- Place: Emporia, KS
- Coordinates: 38.410205, -96.18988 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4102&lon=-96.1899&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 2, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15176
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91LA282
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15176/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA282

## 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.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - rising

## Analysis

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.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6136D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6136D-2013-02-11), registration cancelled 2013-02-11, S/N 22-4780, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-150) (registry code 7102210) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-4780
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A1A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Dale R. Opitz
- Departed: EMP, EMPORIA, KS
- Destination: AMA, AMARILLO, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 23 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19910902037689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910902037689A), Sep 2, 1991: Piper PA22150, Emporia, KS, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Bought aircraft. Was ferring it home. Ran into fog following interstate. Reversed course. Struck a hill in fog.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.