Taylorcraft BL 65 accident near Everett, Washington, December 7, 2014
On December 7, 2014 at about 10:43 pm local time, a 1940 Taylorcraft BL 65, registered N27580, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (landing roll) near Everett, Washington (Snohomish County Paine Field). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll resulting in a runway excursion and collision with hangars.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 7, 2014 · about 10:43 pm local time
- Place
- Everett, Washington · Snohomish County Paine Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Taylorcraft BL 65, built 1940 · all BL 65s on the register
- Registration
- N27580 · registry record · serial 2221
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot stated that the wheel landing touchdown in the tailwheel equipped airplane was normal. After applying the brakes, the airplane turned 45 degrees to the left, and departed the runway surface. It crossed the grass infield, went onto a taxiway, and the left wing struck a hangar. The airplane turned right, and the right wing struck another hangar. Both wings sustained substantial damage. There was no report of a preimpact mechanical malfunction or failure with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
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 control on ground during landing (landing roll) defining event
- Runway excursion during landing (landing roll)
- Collision during takeoff/land during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Airport structure › Not specified
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 337 hours in all; 229 in this make and model; 23 in the last 90 days; 6 in the last 30 days; 215 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: July 14, 2013
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,261 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 21, 2014
- Maximum gross weight: 1,100 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Cont Motor A-75 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PAE Everett WA at 8:43 pm
- Destination: PAE Everett WA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 16L, 3,004 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 54°F (12°C), dew point 41°F (5°C)
- Altimeter: 30.07 inHg
- Observation at 9:53 pm from KPAE
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 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.