Nelson BENSON B-8M accident near Sandwich, IL
On August 9, 1994, a Nelson BENSON B-8M (gyroplane) was involved in an accident near Sandwich, IL. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- August 9, 1994
- Place
- Sandwich, IL
- Aircraft
- Nelson BENSON B-8M · Gyroplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 41.639°N, 88.620°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001206X01999
NTSB summary
On August 9, 1994, at 1345 central daylight time, a Nelson Benson B-8M gyroplane, N26063, was destroyed when it impacted the terrain near Sandwich, Illinois. The non-certificated pilot sustained fatal injuries. The personal flight originated in a farm field near Sandwich, Illinois. No flight plan was filed, and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. Several witnesses to the accident reported that the gyroplane departed from a farm field, northwest of the intersection of East Sandwich Road and Chicago Road. They reported that it departed toward the east and appeared unstable as it climbed to a maximum altitude of approximately 50 feet. Two witnesses described the gyroplane "tipping" and "dipping" shortly after takeoff. They reported several changes in the sound of the engine and said it sounded as though it was running at full power immediately prior to the accident. The airplane pitched down in a manner described by one witness as a "somersault", and impacted the terrain inverted, in a near vertical, nose down attitude. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airworthiness inspector examined the wreckage. He reported that all flight controls and engine controls operated normally. The engine rotated freely and had compression. The fuel tank was recovered and was over half full. The inspector reported that the propeller and rotor were replaced in January 1994; however, no records of a condition inspection or aircraft logbooks were recovered. He reported that "dragon wing" rotor blades were installed on the gyroplane. During an interview with a FAA Operations Inspector, t
Probable cause
IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT (OWNER/PILOT/MECHANIC), AND HIS IMPROPER MODIFICATION OF THE FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEM, WHICH RESULTED IN HIS FAILURE (OR INABILITY) TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE GYROCOPTER. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE PILOT'S LACK OF FLIGHT TRAINING.
More accidents in IL
- Beech 1900C, Nov 19, 1996
- Beech C-45H, Sep 7, 1992
- Hawker Siddeley HS-748-2A, Oct 12, 1983
- Cessna 414A, Apr 7, 2015
- Cessna 172P, Jul 19, 1997
Browse: Illinois
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
