Piper PA-22-135 accident near Kewanee, Illinois, June 6, 1993
On June 6, 1993 at about 2:45 pm local time, a Piper PA-22-135, registered N8236C, was substantially damaged in an accident near Kewanee, Illinois. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO REFUEL THE AIRPLANE PRIOR TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT IS THE PILOT'S INADVERTENT STALL/MUSH DURING THE FORCED LANDING.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 6, 1993 · about 2:45 pm local time
- Place
- Kewanee, Illinois · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-22-135 · all PA-22-135s on the register
- Registration
- N8236C · no longer on the register · serial 22-2322
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF THE PILOT INITIATED A LEFT CLIMBING TURN TO DEPART THE TRAFFIC PATTERN. DURING THE TURN THE AIRPLANE'S ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING. THE PILOT STATED HE ATTEMPTED TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT BUT WAS NOT HIGH ENOUGH AND '... GOT TO SLOW...' TO LAND ON THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN HARD IN A CORN FIELD AND NOSED OVER ACCORDING TO THE PILOT. AN ON-SCENE INVESTIGATION REVEALED WHAT THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION'S PRINCIPAL MAINTENANCE INSPECTOR REFERRED TO AS 'TRACES' OF FUEL FOUND IN THE FUEL TANKS, CARBURETOR FLOAT BOWL, AND ACCELERATOR PUMP CHAMBER.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 909 hours in all; 12 in this make and model; 827 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 1, 1992
- Maximum gross weight: 1,950 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-290-D2 (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Maple City Club, INC.
The flight
- Destination: Geneseo IL
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 170° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 10,000 ft
- Temperature: 68°F (20°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Observation at 2:50 pm from MLI, 34 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.