# NTSB ATL82DA255: Benson B8M, N37630, Ashland, KY, July 30, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: July 30, 1982, 14:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Ashland, KY
- Coordinates: 38.470943, -82.650032 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4709&lon=-82.6500&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 30, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69815
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL82DA255
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69815/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82DA255

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - qualification, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Roll over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT HAD A PRIVATE LICENSE WITH A SINGLE ENGINE LAND RATING, BUT ONLY HAD ABOUT 1 HR OF PREVIOUS FLIGHT TIME IN THE BENSEN GYROCOPTER. THE OWNER STATED THAT HE TOLD THE PILOT NOT TO CLIMB ABOVE 5 TO 6 FT. THE OWNER ALSO STATED THAT THE PILOT TOLD HIM HE HAD READ "FLYING INSTRUCTIONS - FUNDAMENTALS OF GYROCOPTER FLIGHT" WHICH REQUIRES AT LEAST 50 TAKEOFFS AND LANDINGS NEVER EXCEEDING 1 TO 2 FT AGL. THE PILOT TOOK OFF ON A PARALLEL TAXIWAY, FLEW STRAIGHT AND LEVEL AT LOW ALTITUDE UNTIL MIDWAY DOWN THE TAXIWAY, THEN CLIMBED TO ABOUT 100 FT. AS HE APPROACHED THE END OF THE TAXIWAY, THE PILOT BEGAN A RAPID POWERED DESCENT FOLLOWED BY A DESCENDING LEFT TURN. THE GYROCOPTER TOUCHED DOWN AT A RELATIVELY HIGH GROUND SPEED, SWERVED 2 OR 3 TIMES, AND TIPPED OVER. THE PILOT CLAIMED THAT HE WAS COERCED INTO FLYING THE GYROCOPTER WITHOUT ADEQUATE INSTRUCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N37630](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N37630-1983-04-16), registration cancelled 1983-04-16, S/N 1 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BENSON B8M
- Registry model: [Smith Gregory A BENSEN B-8M](https://openairdocs.org/model/smith-gregory-a-bensen-b-8m) (registry code 13021DK) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1
- Airframe hours: 69
- Engines: MCCULLOCH O-100-1 72 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Michael Donahue
- Registered owner: Gregory Smith
- Departed: 128, ASHLAND, KY
- Destination: 128, ASHLAND, KY
- Airport: 128, Ashland-Boyd County, runway 10, 5,600 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 505 total, 1 in this make and model, 22 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Temperature: 176 °F

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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