No fatalities

PIPER J3-C65 accident at El Cajon, CA, 23 Oct 2020

El Cajon, CA, United States

On October 23, 2020, a PIPER J3-C65 was involved in an aviation accident near El Cajon, CA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection and fuel planning which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-08-03Data APIEditorial standards

Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection and fuel planning which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.

— NTSB Determination

Contributing factors

PilotFluid level

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 23 Oct 2020 PIPER J3-C65 accident near El Cajon, CA?

The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection and fuel planning which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.

Were there any fatalities in the 23 Oct 2020 PIPER J3-C65 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 23 Oct 2020 involved a PIPER J3-C65, at El Cajon, CA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection and fuel planning which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.