# NTSB ATL81FLQ16: Bensen B8M, N2309S, Smithland, KY, May 8, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: May 8, 1981
- Place: Smithland, KY · SMITHLAND, KY
- Location: 37.1388° N, 88.4048° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Smithland, KY, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.1388&lon=-88.4048&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 29, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 126280
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL81FLQ16
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL81FLQ16

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0920   81/5/8  NR.SMITHLAND,KY       BENSEN B8M          CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 28, 192
        TIME - 1450                    N2309S              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 65 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          PADUCAH,KY                  LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           AIRFRAME FAILURE: IN FLIGHT                              IN FLIGHT: BUZZING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER OPERATION OF FLIGHT CONTROLS
        FACTOR(S)
           POWERPLANT - PROPELLER AND ACCESSORIES: BLADES
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - SEPARATION IN FLIGHT
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - IMPROPERLY LOADED AIRCRAFT-WEIGHT-AND/OR C.G.
        REMARKS- R/B DEFLECTED IN FLT,STRUCK PROP.GAL JUG OF GAS STRAPPED TO NOSE CAUSED 3DEG FWD HANG,LMT 1 1/2DEG
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2309S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2309S-1981-10-01), registration cancelled 1981-10-01, S/N 3615, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BENSEN B8M
- Registry model: [Hunt-William BENSEN B-8M](https://openairdocs.org/model/hunt-william-bensen-b-8m) (registry code 13021W6) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19810508022839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810508022839A), May 8, 1981: Amtrbx BENSENB8M, Smithland, KY, Substantial damage. Rocked gyrocopter waving at friends at low altitude. Caused rotor flap and rotorprop strike. Lost control of copter

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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