# NTSB ATL82FID12: Benson B8M, Suffolk, VA, August 4, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: August 4, 1982, 00:13 local (04:13 UTC)
- Place: Suffolk, VA
- Location: 36.7282° N, 76.5836° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Suffolk, VA, within about 11 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7282&lon=-76.5836&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 4, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72750
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL82FID12
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72750/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82FID12

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (cause)
  - inadequate training, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS PRACTICING HIGH SPEED TAXI WITH OCCASIONAL LIFT OFF AND LANDING. HE STATED THAT ON THIS LIFT OFF THE AIRCRAFT WAS APPROXIMATELY 25 FEET OFF THE GROUND WHEN HE LOST CONTROL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: NONE (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BENSON B8M
- Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built
- Airframe hours: 1
- Engines: MCCULLOCH 36 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Eric Koberg
- Registered owner: Eric Koberg
- Departed: SUFFOLK, VA
- Destination: SUFFOLK, VA
- Airport: Suffolk, runway 36, 4,000 × 100 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; medical: unknown; flight hours: 10 total, 10 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 185 °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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.