# NTSB CHI93FA036: Piper PA-28RT-201T, N3563Z, Ft. Riley, KS, October 31, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 30, 1992, 23:00 local (Oct 31, 1992, 05:00 UTC)
- Place: Ft. Riley, KS
- Coordinates: 39.090778, -96.789512 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0908&lon=-96.7895&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15578
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93FA036
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15578/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93FA036

## Probable cause

THE NON-CURRENT STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE CLEARANCE FROM TERRAIN WHILE OPERATING AT NIGHT, IN INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT HELD AN EXPIRED STUDENT PILOT CERTIFICATE. HE TOOK OFF AT NIGHT WITH LOCAL WEATHER REPORTS OF 200 FOOT CEILINGS, 3/4 MILES VISIBILITY IN FOG. THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED HILLY TERRAIN 11 MILES NORTH OF THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT ON ARMY BASE PROPERTY. A POSTIMPACT FIRE ENSUED. POSTACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF PREIMPACT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3563Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3563Z-1995-05-16), registration cancelled 1995-05-16, S/N 28R8031035 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28RT-201T (PA-28RT-20)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28RT-201T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28rt-201t) (registry code 7102817) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-8031035
- Airframe hours: 1848
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360-FB1 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Walker Stone Co., Inc.
- Registered owner: Walker Stone Co., Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 3, 1991, 89 hours before
- Departed: 3JC, JUNCTION CITY, KS
- Destination: UNK/NR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; medical: unknown, expired; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 50 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 100° at 4 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 200 ft
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: KFRI, 8 nm away

## 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 19921031047079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921031047079A), Oct 31, 1992: Piper PA28RT201T, Ft Riley, KS, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Stolen arrow found crashed and burned. Residents heard low flying aircraft at night in low clouds, fog, sleet, rain

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.

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