# NTSB CHI84LA377: Piper J3C-65, N6620H, Olney, IL, September 3, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 3, 1984, 16:15 local (21:15 UTC)
- Place: Olney, IL
- Coordinates: 38.730033, -88.080192 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7300&lon=-88.0802&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12762
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84LA377
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12762/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84LA377

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fuel system,selector/valve - not switched (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - pressure induced by others, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fuel tank selector position - not identified, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - emergency procedure - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

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.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6620H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6620H), registered now, S/N 19819, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J3C-65
- Registry model: [Piper J3C-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3c-65) (registry code 7100510) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 19819
- Airframe hours: 3545
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-90 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Giles Henderson
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 15, 1984, 61 hours before
- Departed: OLY, OLNEY, IL
- Destination: MTO, CHARLESTON, IL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 17; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 290 total, 224 in this make and model, 106 as pilot in command, 196 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MVN

## 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 19840903045589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840903045589A), Sep 3, 1984: Piper J3C65, Olney, IL, Substantial damage. Engine quit shortly after takeoff causing an off airport landing. Fuel selector on a near empty tank.

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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