# NTSB ATL81DLJ02: Bensen B8M, N8053Y, Spring Lake, NC, December 6, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: December 6, 1980
- Place: Spring Lake, NC · SPRING LAKE, NC
- Location: 35.1845° N, 78.9947° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Spring Lake, NC, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1845&lon=-78.9947&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 19, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 127796
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL81DLJ02
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL81DLJ02

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3119   80/12/6   SPRING LAKE,NC      BENSEN B8M          CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             STUDENT, AGE 39, 80 TOTAL
        TIME - 1530                    N8053Y              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  HOURS, 77 IN TYPE, NOT
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - GRASS STRIP
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          SPRING LAKE,NC              LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     TAKEOFF: RUN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO ABORT TAKEOFF
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
        REMARKS- SLOWED DWN DRG TKOF WHILE PEOPLE MOVED,LOST ROTOR RPM.UN TO OBTAIN ROTOR RPM ON RMNG RWY.HIT STUMP
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8053Y (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BENSEN B8M
- Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Grass Strip

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19801206082539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19801206082539A), Dec 6, 1980: Amtrbx BENSENB8M, Spring Lake, NC, Substantial damage. Tried to takeoff from short strip with insufficient rotor speed. Struck trees.

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.

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