# NTSB ATL81FKW24: Bensen B8, N3815, Hixson, TN, August 22, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: August 22, 1981
- Place: Hixson, TN · HIXSON, TN
- Location: 35.1406° N, 85.2327° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Hixson, TN, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1406&lon=-85.2327&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report October 14, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 124683
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL81FKW24
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL81FKW24

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2112  81/8/22    HIXSON,TN           BENSEN B8           CR-  0  1  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             STUDENT, AGE 35, 68 TOTAL
        TIME - 0810                    N3815               PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  HOURS, ALL IN TYPE, NOT
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - DALLAS BAY
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          HIXSON,TN                   LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: UNCONTROLLED                IN FLIGHT: UNCONTROLLED DESCENT
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           POWERPLANT - ENGINE STRUCTURE: CYLINDER ASSEMBLY
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - OVERHEATED
           POWERPLANT - MISCELLANEOUS: DETONATION
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ROTOR R.P.M.
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- NR 1 CYLINDER PARTIALLY SEIZED,EVIDENCE OF DETONATION.PLT TURNED DNWIND WITHOUT POWER.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3815 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BENSEN B8
- Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Dallas Bay

## 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 19810822051109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810822051109A), Aug 22, 1981: Amtrbx BENSENB8*, Hixson, TN, Destroyed. Gyrocopter crashed into trees during emergency landing after engine failure.

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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