Bensen B-8M N70216

Summary

On 5 July 1995 at about 14:18 local time, a Bensen B-8M registered N70216 was involved in an accident near Siler City, North Carolina, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

5 July 1995 at 14:18

Classification

Accident

Location

Siler City, North Carolina, United States

Nearest airport

Blair Field (5W8)

Coordinates

35.7201, -79.4598

Aircraft

Bensen B-8M

Registration

N70216

Category

Gyrocraft

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ATL95LA129

1 person died.

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE GYROCOPTER WHICH RESULTED IN AN INFLIGHT BREAKUP. A FACTOR WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF A ROTORCRAFT OR GYROCOPTER CERTIFICATION.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE PILOT TAXIED TO RUNWAY 04 AND STARTED HIS TAKEOFF. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE GYROCOPTER USED ABOUT 2500 FEET OF THE RUNWAY FOR THE TAKEOFF. THEY REPORTED THAT THE GYROCOPTER BOUNCED ON THE RUNWAY SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE BECOMING AIRBORNE. AS THE GYROCOPTER MADE A RIGHT CLIMBING TURN, ONE WITNESS SAW PIECES OF THE GYROCOPTER FALLING FROM THE AIR. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE GROUND 1/4 MILE SOUTH OF THE AIRPORT. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT DISCLOSED EVIDENCE OF MAIN ROTOR BLADE CONING, AND MAIN ROTOR CONTACT WITH THE RUDDER CONTROL SURFACE. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT FAILED TO DISCLOSE A MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION. A REVIEW OF WEATHER DATA REVEALED THAT CONDITIONS WERE FAVORABLE FOR THE FORMATION OF CARBURETOR ICE. AN EXAMINATION OF THE PILOT'S QUALIFICATIONS INDICATED THAT THE HE WAS NOT ROTORCRAFT OR GYROCOPTER RATED.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.