# NTSB ATL88LA248: Taylorcraft BL-65, N24487, Calera, AL, September 6, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 6, 1988, 07:30 local (12:30 UTC)
- Place: Calera, AL
- Coordinates: 33.099327, -86.750648 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0993&lon=-86.7506&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 29, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7810
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL88LA248
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7810/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88LA248

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE LOST POWER DURING DESCENT. THE AIRPLANE SUBSEQUENTLY CRASHED INTO A CORNFIELD AFTER CLEARING A ROW OF TREES, AS THE PLT WAS ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A FORCED LANDING. POST-CRASH EXAM OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED THAT BOTH THE MAIN & AUX FUEL TANKS WERE EMPTY. THE PLT STATED THAT HE HAD DEPARTED WITH AN ESTIMATED 4 GALLONS OF FUEL ONBOARD WHICH WAS ENOUGH FOR 1 TO 1 1/2 HRS OF FLT. THE TOTAL DURATION OF THE FLT WAS 35 TO 55 MINUTES BASED ON TIMES REPORTED BY THE PLT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N24487](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N24487), registered now, S/N 1827, built 1940 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: TAYLORCRAFT BL-65
- Registry model: [Taylorcraft BL-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/taylorcraft-bl-65) (registry code 8850350) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-145B series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-145b-series) (registry code 41502, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1827
- Airframe hours: 1611
- Engines: LYCOMING O-145 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Roger A. Lewis
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 2, 1988, 34 hours before
- Departed: 21A, ALABASTER, AL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; flight instructor, private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 632 total, 40 in this make and model, 577 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BHM, 31 nm away

## 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 19880906039489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880906039489A), Sep 6, 1988: Tcraft BL65, Calera, AL, Substantial damage. Engine stopped. Crash landed stretching glide to clear trees. Fuel tanks were empty.

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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