# NTSB CHI78FEM35: Taylorcraft BL-65, N27427, Grand Haven, MI, August 17, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: August 17, 1978
- Place: Grand Haven, MI · GRAND HAVEN, MI
- Location: 43.0550° N, 86.2193° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Grand Haven, MI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0550&lon=-86.2193&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 11, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 139385
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI78FEM35
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI78FEM35

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3397  78/8/17    GRAND HAVEN,MI      TAYLORCRAFT BL-65   CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 55, 281
        TIME - 1830                    N27427              PX-  0  0  1  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 52 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - GRAND HAVEN MUNI
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          GRAND HAVEN,MI              LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER OPERATION OF POWERPLANT & POWERPLANT CONTROLS
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - ANTI-ICING/DEICING EQUIPMENT-IMPROPER OPERATION OF/OR FAILED TO USE
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - ICE-CARBURETOR
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - CONDITIONS CONDUCIVE TO CARB./INDUCTION SYSTEM ICING
        PARTIAL POWER LOSS - PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER - 1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          CLEAR                                                    UNLIMITED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          NONE                                                      80
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          180                                                       6
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR                                                      NONE
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N27427](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N27427-2013-08-08), registration cancelled 2013-08-08, S/N 1696, 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
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Grand Haven Muni

## 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 19780817023929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780817023929A), Aug 17, 1978: Tcraft BL65, Grand Haven, MI, Substantial damage

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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