Cress CRESS B-8-M (BENSEN) N3495
24 January 1997 · Williston, Florida, United States · Fatal
Summary
On 24 January 1997 at about 22:39 local time, a Cress CRESS B-8-M (BENSEN) registered N3495 was involved in an accident near Williston, Florida, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 22:39
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Williston, Florida, United States
- Nearest airport
- Williston Municipal (X60)
- Coordinates
- 29.3705, -82.4498
- Aircraft
- Cress CRESS B-8-M (BENSEN)
- Registration
- N3495
- Category
- Gyrocraft
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Not recorded
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Aircraft damage
- Destroyed
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- MIA97LA073
People
1 person died.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Probable cause
failure of the pilot to maintain rotor rpm, while maneuvering, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent and collision with terrain.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
After the gyroplane took off, witnesses heard it maneuvering in the vicinity of the airport. Subsequently, the gyroplane descended, impacted the runway, and came to rest on its side. Examination of the flight controls revealed no evidence of a preimpact failure or malfunction. The witnesses said they heard an increase and decrease in engine power, twice before hearing the engine backfire, shortly before impact with the runway. Examination of the main rotor revealed compression buckling on the bottom side of each blade.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 Apr 1997 | Cessna 152 | La Crosse, Florida, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 10 Apr 1997 | Navion A | Quincy, Florida, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 13 Apr 1997 | Diamond DA 20-A1 | Hollywood, Florida, United States | Pelican Airways | No injuries | - |
| 15 Jul 1997 | Cessna 172N | Lakeland, Florida, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 18 Apr 1997 | Cessna 150M | Ormond Beach, Florida, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 19 Jul 1997 | Bellanca 8GCBC | Bunnell, Florida, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |