# NTSB ATL83LA264: Bensen B8M, N47BH, Somerville, TN, July 9, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 9, 1983, 13:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Somerville, TN
- Coordinates: 35.229442, -89.350769 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2294&lon=-89.3508&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6119
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83LA264
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6119/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83LA264

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff
  - fuel system,ram air/induction air - separation (cause)
  - propeller system/accessories,blade - vibration (cause)
  - fuselage - disintegrated (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED DURING TAKEOFF WHILE ON A PLEASURE FLIGHT. A WITNESS STATED THAT HE SAW THE ACFT TAKE OFF AND CLIMB OUTAT A GRADUAL CLIMB TO ABOUT 100 FT AND THEN START A GRADUAL DESCENT TO ABOUT 30 FT. AT WHICH TIME THE ACFT NOSED OVER AND WENT ALMOST VERTICALLY INTO THE GROUND. THE CARBURETOR AIR FILTER CAME OFF AND STRUCK THE PROP CAUSING SEVERE VIBRATION. THE PROP THEN STRUCK THE PILOT AND THE ACFT PLUMMETED TO THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N47BH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N47BH-1983-09-19), registration cancelled 1983-09-19, S/N B001 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BENSEN B8M
- Registry model: [Bensen B-8M](https://openairdocs.org/model/bensen-b-8m) (registry code 1300516) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: B001
- Airframe hours: 100
- Engines: McCulloch 1 reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William S. Westrich
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 4, 1982, 100 hours before
- Airport: 57M, Fayette County, runway 18, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, unknown; seat: center; flight hours: 2 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 93 °F

## 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 19830709029749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830709029749A), Jul 9, 1983: Amtrbx BENSENB8M, Somerville, TN, Destroyed. Carb air filter came off and splintered prop. Vibration caused main frame to fold up putting pilot into prop.

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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