Bensen B-8M accident near Siler City, NC
On July 5, 1995, a Bensen B-8M (gyroplane) was involved in an accident near Siler City, NC. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- July 5, 1995
- Place
- Siler City, NC
- Aircraft
- Bensen B-8M · Gyroplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 35.720°N, 79.460°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001207X03861
NTSB summary
On July 5, 1995, at 1018 eastern daylight time, Bensen Gyrocopter, B-8M, N70216, broke up in flight shortly after takeoff from a private airstrip near Siler City, North Carolina. The personal flight operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The aircraft was destroyed, and the pilot received fatal injuries. The accident occurred during the initial takeoff attempt from Siler City. The pilot taxied to runway 04 for a takeoff. According to witnesses, the takeoff attempt used about 2500 feet of the runway surface. The aircraft bounced several times on the runway surface before becoming airborne. After liftoff, the aircraft climbed to 200 feet and the pilot made a right climbing turn. As the aircraft reached the midway point of the runway on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern, witnesses observed the aircraft start a series of pitching oscillations, which culminated in the aircraft flipping inverted. One witness observed the aircraft as it came apart in flight, and fell to the ground. Examination of the aircraft wreckage and accident site disclosed that wreckage debris was scattered over an area 900 feet long. Examination of the wreckage revealed main rotor and rudder control surface contact in flight. Further examination of the main rotor system disclosed that both rotor blades were deformed upward. The flight control examination also failed to disclose a mechanical problem. The propeller wood propeller blades were broken at both tips. An examination of the engine assembly faile
Probable cause
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.
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Browse: North Carolina
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
