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Fuel Valve Configuration Leads to Engine Failure and Forced Landing in Corn Field (N6620H)

Olney, IL, US

On September 3, 1984, a Piper J3C-65 (registration N6620H) was involved in an aviation accident near Olney, IL. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The fuel valve configuration left only about half a gallon of fuel in the header tank available to the engine, and the student pilot did not attempt to correct the valve position during descent. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft experienced an engine failure shortly after takeoff due to improper fuel valve configuration, resulting in a forced landing in a corn field with substantial damage.

Incident Overview

An aircraft was flown in an airshow by its owner. After landing, the aircraft was shut down and refueled. The refueling and preflight checks were conducted rapidly to allow the owner's son, a student pilot, to depart the airport ahead of the crowd. Approximately three minutes after takeoff, at an altitude of about 1,000 feet, the engine quit.

Emergency Landing

The student pilot executed a forced landing in a corn field. The aircraft sustained substantial damage during the landing.

Investigation Findings

An investigation conducted by the owner revealed that the fuel valve configuration left only about half a gallon of fuel in the header tank available to the engine. The student pilot did not attempt to correct the valve position during the descent.

Probable cause

The fuel valve configuration left only about half a gallon of fuel in the header tank available to the engine, and the student pilot did not attempt to correct the valve position during descent.
Fuel exhaustion & starvation

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 3 Sept 1984 Piper J3C-65 accident near Olney, IL?

An aircraft experienced an engine failure shortly after takeoff due to improper fuel valve configuration, resulting in a forced landing in a corn field with substantial damage.

Were there any fatalities in the 3 Sept 1984 Piper J3C-65 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 3 Sept 1984 involved a Piper J3C-65, registration N6620H, at Olney, IL.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The fuel valve configuration left only about half a gallon of fuel in the header tank available to the engine, and the student pilot did not attempt to correct the valve position during descent.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001214X40993. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.