# Accident 20130909018209A: Taylorcraft BL-65, Chippewa Falls, WI, September 9, 2013

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: September 9, 2013, 16:41 local time
- Place: Chippewa Falls, WI
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Climb Out
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 44.9347° N, 91.3892° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Chippewa Falls, WI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.9347&lon=-91.3892&mi=10
- Aircraft: N23683, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N23683-2019-01-28) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Taylorcraft BL-65 (registry code 8850350, https://openairdocs.org/model/taylorcraft-bl-65) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-145B series (registry code 41502, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-145b-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: TAYLORCRAFT BL-65
- Reported engine: LYCOMING 0-145B SERIES
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130909018209A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

THE MISHAP PILOT WAS THE SOLE OCCUPANT AND PILOT IN COMMAND OF N23683 DURING THE ACCIDENT. THE MISHAP AIRCRAFT HAS JUST CONDUCTED A TAKEOFF FROM A GRASS STRIP WHEN IT EXPERIENCED A POWER LOSS. THE MISHAP AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE TREES JUST BEYOND THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY, AND CAME TO REST IN A CREEK BEYOND THE TREELINE.

THE AIRCRAFT WAS EXAMINED ON SCENE. THERE WAS A COMPLETE LACK OF IMPACT DAMAGE TO THE PROPELLER. THE AIRCRAFT HAD ADEQUATE FUEL ON BOARD, THOUGH THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS OFF. IT WAS POSITIONED THERE AFTER THE MISHAP AT THE REQUEST OF FIRST RESPONDERS, AS THE AIRPLANE WAS LEAKING FUEL INTO THE CREEK. THE MATERIEL CONDITION OF THE AIRCRAFT WAS POOR, AS A RESULT OF SUBSTANDARD MAINTENANCE. ENGINE COMPRESSION WAS LOW. UNAPPROVED MODIFICATIONS HAD BEEN MADE TO THE AIRCRAFT BAGGAGE COMPARTMENT. THE DUCTWORK FOR THE CARB HEAT SYSTEM WAS DRY ROTTED AND UNSERVICEABLE. THE LINKAGE FROM THE COCKPIT TO THE BUTTERFLY VALVE FOR THE CARB HEAT WAS NOT RIGGED CORRECTLY, RENDERING THE SYSTEM INOPERATIVE. AMBIENT CONDITIONS AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WERE CONDUCIVE TO THE FORMATION OF CARBURETOR ICE.

THE MISHAP PILOT SUSTAINED SERIOUS BACK INJURIES RESULTING IN SURGERY. AS A RESULT OF HOSPITALIZATION, WE HAVE NOT YET BEEN ABLE TO OBTAIN PILOT OR AIRCRAFT LOGBOOKS.

## NTSB investigation

None matched to this report by aircraft and date. Search the NTSB's own records: https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-main-public/basic-search

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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