Aviation Crash Map

Willi/Bensen B-8M N2469

25 September 1987 · Fraser, Michigan, United States · No injuries

Summary

On 25 September 1987 at about 21:00 local time, a Willi/Bensen B-8M registered N2469, operated by Donald E. Willi, was involved in an accident near Fraser, Michigan, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

The record

Date
at 21:00
Classification
Accident
Location
Fraser, Michigan, United States
Nearest airport
McKinley Fraser (D13)
Coordinates
42.5293, -82.9394
Aircraft
Willi/Bensen B-8M
Registration
N2469
Category
Gyrocraft
Engines
1
Operator
Donald E. Willi
Operating rule
Part 91: General Aviation
Purpose of flight
Personal
Phase of flight
Not recorded
Aircraft damage
Substantial
Weather
VMC
Light
Day
NTSB number
CHI87DEC05

People

Nobody was injured.

On board Died Serious Minor Uninjured
1 0 0 0 1

Probable cause

DETERIORATION OF THE INTERNAL SURFACE OF THE FUEL TANK WHICH LED TO BLOCKAGE OF THE FUEL FLOW AND SUBSEQUENT FUEL STARVATION OF THE ENGINE.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

AS THE STUDENT PILOT WAS TAKING OFF IN HIS EXPERIMENTAL HOME BUILT GYROPLANE, THE ENGINE LOST POWER, SHORTLY AFTER LIFT-OFF. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE GYROPLANE WAS DAMAGED DURING AN EMERGENCY LANDING. AN EXAM OF THE FUEL SYSTEM REVEALED THAT TANK SEALER HAD DETERIORATED ON THE INSIDE OF THE SEAT TANK & HAD DROPPED IN THE FUEL. SUBSEQUENTLY, A CHECK VALVE FOR A RUBBER HAND BULB (USED TO PRIME THE FUEL PUMPS) HAD BECOME STUCK. THIS RESULTED IN BLOCKAGE OF FUEL TO THE ENGINE.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.

Other accidents in this area

Date Aircraft Location Operator Outcome Died
7 Nov 1987 Cessna 152
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13 Apr 1987 Cessna 152
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Marine City, Michigan, United States Marine City Aviation Minor injuries -
7 Nov 1987 Piper PA-28-161
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Detroit, Michigan, United States - No injuries -
20 Apr 1987 Piper PA-32-260
N5593J
Byron Center, Michigan, United States - No injuries -
26 Apr 1987 Piper J3C
N6AJ
Midland, Michigan, United States - No injuries -
3 May 1987 Cessna 150J
N60023
Detroit, Michigan, United States Charles Spicer No injuries -

All 170,864 records in United States