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NTSB Report
September 3, 1984 · Piper J3C-65 · N6620H
Olney, IL
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 3, 1984
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Olney, IL
Aircraft
Piper J3C-65
Tail Number
N6620H
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI84LA377
THE A/C WAS FLOWN IN AN AIRSHOW BY THE OWNER. AFTER HE LANDED THE ACFT WAS SHUT DOWN AND REFUELED. THE REFUELING AND THE PREFLIGHT WERE DONE RAPIDLY TO ALLOW THE OWNERS SON, A STUDENT PLT, TO LEAVE THE AIRPORT AHEAD OF THE CROWD. ABOUT 3 MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF AT AN ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 1,000 FT THE ENGINE QUIT. THE ACFT WAS LANDED IN A CORN FIELD AND WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. INVESTIGATION BY THE OWNER REVEALED THAT THE FUEL VALVE CONFIGURATION LEFT ONLY ABOUT 1/2 GALLON OF FUEL IN THE HEADER TANK AVAILABLE TO THE ENGINE. THE STUDENT PILOT DID NOT ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THE VALVE POSITION DURING DESCENT.
Full Narrative
THE A/C WAS FLOWN IN AN AIRSHOW BY THE OWNER. AFTER HE LANDED THE ACFT WAS SHUT DOWN AND REFUELED. THE REFUELING AND THE PREFLIGHT WERE DONE RAPIDLY TO ALLOW THE OWNERS SON, A STUDENT PLT, TO LEAVE THE AIRPORT AHEAD OF THE CROWD. ABOUT 3 MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF AT AN ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 1,000 FT THE ENGINE QUIT. THE ACFT WAS LANDED IN A CORN FIELD AND WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. INVESTIGATION BY THE OWNER REVEALED THAT THE FUEL VALVE CONFIGURATION LEFT ONLY ABOUT 1/2 GALLON OF FUEL IN THE HEADER TANK AVAILABLE TO THE ENGINE. THE STUDENT PILOT DID NOT ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THE VALVE POSITION DURING DESCENT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:15 CDT
Nearest Airport6nm
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper J3C-65
Tail NumberN6620H
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · C-90 · Reciprocating · 90
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 17 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 10 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time15:45
Weather SourcePILO