# NTSB ATL98LA097: Benson B-8M, N2289V, Placida, FL, July 5, 1998

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 5, 1998, 17:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Placida, FL
- Coordinates: 26.849546, -82.280883 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.8495&lon=-82.2809&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 19, 1999
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 43073
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL98LA097
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43073/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL98LA097

## Probable cause

Excessive taxi speed.  A related factor was the wind gusts.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, taxi
  - weather condition - gusts (cause)
  - taxispeed - excessive, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The non-certificated pilot stated he was taxiing too fast downwind, encountered a gust of wind and lost control of the aircraft resulting in a collision with the ground. The gyrocopter subsequently nosed over and came to rest inverted. The collision with the ground resulted in bending of the main rotor blades, rear propeller blades broken off and all structural components of the gyroplane bent and twisted.

## Factual narrative

On July 5, 1998, about 1700 eastern daylight time, a Benson B-8M homebuilt gyrocopter, N2289V, collided with the ground while taxiing at  Rotonda International Airport, in Placida, Florida. The gyrocopter was operated by the non-certificated pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and no flight plan had been filed. The non-certificated pilot received minor injuries and the gyrocopter was substantially damaged. The flight originated from Rotonda International Airport about 10 minutes prior to the accident.

The non-certificated pilot stated he was taxiing too fast downwind, encountered a gust of wind and lost control of the aircraft resulting in a collision with the ground. The accident occurred on July 5, 1998, however, the Safety Board was not notified of the accident until July 14, 1998.

According to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector who visited the scene, the gyrocopter nosed over and came to rest inverted. The main rotor blades were bent beyond repair, rear propeller blades broken off, and all structural components of the gyrocopter bent and twisted resulting in substantial damage.

The pilot estimates he had 60 total hours flown as Pilot In Command of this make/model aircraft, including 10 hours flown over the last 90 days.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2289V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2289V-2012-12-04), registration cancelled 2012-12-04, S/N 01, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Benson B-8M
- Registry model: [Olmsted-William B-8M](https://openairdocs.org/model/olmsted-william-b-8m) (registry code 13021W3) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Mcculloch 4318A&E/0-100](https://openairdocs.org/engine/mcculloch-4318a-e-0-100) (registry code 43101, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Unknown, amateur-built
- Serial number: 01
- Airframe hours: 190
- Engines: Mcculloch 4318A&E/0-100 72 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Kevin Orf
- Registered owner: William L. Olmsted
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Airport: X54, Rotonda International, runway 5, 4,200 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; seat: front; flight hours: 60 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TPA, 68 nm away

## 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 19980705024519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980705024519A), Jul 5, 1998: Amtr B8M, Placida, FL, Substantial damage. High speed taxi in tailwind. Flipped over inverted. Non certificated pilot.(.4)while taxiing the gyrocopter, the pilot encountered a gust of wind resulting in…

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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