# Accident 20061210026019A: Ridgw BENSENB8M, Johns Island, SC, December 10, 2006

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: December 10, 2006, 16:29 local time
- Place: Johns Island, SC
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 32.6739° N, 80.0100° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.6739&lon=-80.0100&mi=10
- Aircraft: N7030T, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7030T-2013-09-19) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Ridgway Jack BENSEN B8M (registry code 13021ZB, https://openairdocs.org/model/ridgway-jack-bensen-b8m) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Mcculloch 4318A&E/0-100 (registry code 43101, https://openairdocs.org/engine/mcculloch-4318a-e-0-100) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: RIDGW BENSENB8M
- Reported engine: AMTR SUBARU*
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 20,000 total, 10 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ATL07LA026](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL07LA026) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20061210026019A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) THE PILOT ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ STATED HE CONDUCTED A PREFLIGHT INSPECTION AND NO ANOMALIES WERE NOTED. HE FURTHER STATED HE CHECKED THE FUEL AND THE GYROCOPTER HAD 5 GALLONS OF FUEL ON BOARD AT TAKEOFF. THE PILOT ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ STATED HE DEPARTED THE AIRPORT AT 1609 EST AND FLEW TO AN AREA SOUTH EAST OF THE AIRPORT AND CLIMBED TO 500 FEET. HE THEN CHECKED THE ROTOR SPEED, TACHOMETER, THROTTLE POSITIONS, AND BASIC HANDLING CHARACTERISTICS OF THE GYROCOPTER. ONCE HE COMPLETED THE CHECKS HE STARTED FLYING OVER THE BOHICKET RIVER IN CRUISE FLIGHT AT 500 FEET. THE ENGINE QUIT AND THE PILOT ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ STATED HE TURNED ON THE FUEL BOOST PUMP AND ATTEMPTED AN ENGINE RESTART. THE ENGINE STARTED AND QUIT AGAIN. THE PILOT ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ STATED HE SWITCHED FUEL TANKS AND ATTEMPTED ANOTHER ENGINE RESTART WITH NEGATIVE RESULTS. HE MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING INTO THE RIVER. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT SHOWED CONTINUITY OF THE FLIGHT CONTROLS, ADEQUATE ENGINE COMPRESSION, AND NORMAL SPARK PLUG WEAR. THE MAIN FUEL TANK CAP WAS TIGHT, THE LEFT AND RIGHT AUXILIARY TANK FUEL TANK CAPS WERE ALSO TIGHT. APPROXIMATELY ONE OUNCE OF FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE FUEL LINES AND A SMALL AMOUNT OF WATER, LESS THAN ONE OUNCE, FOUND IN THE CARBURETOR BOWL.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ATL07LA026](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL07LA026), Dec 10, 2006: Ridgway Bensen B8M (N7030T), Johns Island, SC, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilots improper preflight planning and decision resulting in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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