Amateur-built SKYBOLT DB accident near Wisconsin Rapid, Wisconsin, April 21, 1986
On April 21, 1986, a amateur-built SKYBOLT DB, registered N23DA, was substantially damaged in an accident near Wisconsin Rapid, Wisconsin (Alexander Field). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 21, 1986
- Place
- Wisconsin Rapid, Wisconsin · Alexander Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built SKYBOLT DB
- Registration
- N23DA · registry record · serial 01
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PLT THOUGHT HE HAD SUFFICIENT FUEL FOR A 'SHORT TRIP AROUND THE PATTERN.' HOWEVER, SHORTLY AFTER TAKING OFF FROM RWY 29, THE ENG BEGAN TO LOSE POWER. THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO LAND ON RWY 2, BUT ALL POWER WAS LOST & HE WAS UNABLE TO REACH THE RWY. HE LANDED THE ACFT IN A SHALLOW LAKE (IN APRX 5 FT OF WATER) & WADED ASHORE WITH HIS 4 YR OLD PASSENGER. ONLY 1 INCH OF FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE FUEL TANK & ONLY 8 DROPS OF FUEL WERE FOUND IN THE FUEL STRAINER BOWL.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 622 hours in all; 25 in this make and model; 20 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days; 582 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rear
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 460 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 12, 1985; 50 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,650 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360-A1A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 52°F (11°C), dew point 34°F (1°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
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.