Taylorcraft BL 65 accident near Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, September 8, 2013
On September 8, 2013 at about 8:00 pm local time, a 1939 Taylorcraft BL 65, registered N23683, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin (Private airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The loss of engine power after takeoff due to carburetor icing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 8, 2013 · about 8:00 pm local time
- Place
- Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin · Private · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Taylorcraft BL 65 65, built 1939 · all BL 65s on the register
- Registration
- N23683 · no longer on the register · serial 1417
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that he performed a preflight inspection and run-up of the airplane prior to takeoff. After takeoff, when the airplane was about 250 to 300 feet above ground level the airplane's engine lost power. The pilot reported that he applied carburetor heat but could not maintain altitude and struck trees. The pilot reported that he believed that the engine power loss was due to carburetor icing. The weather conditions at the time of the accident included a temperature of 25 degrees Celsius, and a dew point of 13 degrees Celsius, which according to a carburetor icing probability chart, was in the range of susceptibility for serious icing at descent power settings, and moderate icing at cruise power settings.
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
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (partial) during initial climb defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during initial climb
The NTSB's findings
- cause Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Temp/humidity/pressure › Conducive to carburetor icing › Effect on equipment
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 2,380 hours in all; 500 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,173 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 10, 2013; 16 hours since
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming 0-145B SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Chippewa Falls WI
- Destination: Chippewa Falls WI
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 110° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 4,000 ft
- Temperature: 77°F (25°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 29.94 inHg
- Observation at 9:56 pm
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
1 document, released by the NTSB on November 12, 2014. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 7 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.