# NTSB CHI82FA312: Taylorcraft BL-65, N29660, Rock Falls, IL, August 18, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 18, 1982, 11:35 local (16:35 UTC)
- Place: Rock Falls, IL
- Coordinates: 41.770557, -89.689323 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7706&lon=-89.6893&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 18, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72407
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI82FA312
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72407/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI82FA312

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, maneuvering
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,cap - separation (cause)
  - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuselage - fire
  - flight control surfaces/attachments - fire
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AIRCRAFT CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PERFORMING AEROBATICS AND CRASHED OUT OF CONTROL. GAS TANK CAP HAD COME OFF AND DURING INVERTED FLIGHT FUEL SPILLED OUT AND IGNITED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N29660](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N29660-1983-09-07), registration cancelled 1983-09-07, S/N 2500, built 1941 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: TAYLORCRAFT BL-65
- Registry model: [Taylorcraft BL-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/taylorcraft-bl-65) (registry code 8850350) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2500
- Airframe hours: 4636
- Engines: LYCOMING O-145-B2 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: Both
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Halvor R. Christianson
- Registered owner: Halvor R. Christianson
- Departed: SQI, ROCK FALLS, IL
- Destination: SQI, ROCK FALLS, IL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 445 total, 318 in this make and model, 380 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 180 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RFD, 39 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 19820818039269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820818039269A), Aug 18, 1982: Tcraft BL65, Rock Falls, IL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Report indicates fuel tank cap not secured. Possible fuel leak during inverted flight. Fire erupted. Lost control.

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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