# NTSB BFO93LA106: Wernega Benson KB-2, N6606B, Mount Holly, NJ, July 4, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 4, 1993, 14:34 local (18:34 UTC)
- Place: Mount Holly, NJ
- Location: 39.9929° N, 74.7877° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Mount Holly, NJ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9929&lon=-74.7877&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 27, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8781
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO93LA106
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8781/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO93LA106

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF THE GYROPLANE'S FLIGHT CONTROLS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command
  - rotorcraft flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight control,rudder - separation
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

PILOT WITNESSES OBSERVED THE GYROPLANE TAKE OFF, FLY A CIRCUIT AROUND THE AIRPORT, AND THEN PERFORM A LOW PASS OVER THE RUNWAY. IT WAS THEN OBSERVED TO CLIMB UP TO ABOUT 200 FT, THEN ABRUPTLY LEVEL OFF. THE ROTOR BLADE STRUCK THE RUDDER, AND THE GYROPLANE DESCENDED AND IMPACTED THE TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6606B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6606B-2013-10-18), registration cancelled 2013-10-18, S/N E0C-27L, built 1990 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: WERNEGA BENSON KB-2 (BENSON KB-)
- Registry model: [Wernega John KB-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/wernega-john-kb-2) (registry code 13027LE) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Subaru ALL MDLS A/B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/subaru-all-mdls-a-b) (registry code 59050, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built
- Engines: UNKNOWN reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John Wernega
- Registered owner: John Wernega
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: 7MY
- Airport: 7MY, South Jersey Regional, runway 26, 3,911 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 300 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TTN, 20 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 19930704021899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930704021899A), Jul 4, 1993: Amtr KB2, Mount Holly, NJ, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Made abrupt pullup and level off after low pass over runway. Rotors severed tail of gyroplane. Rotors blew off.

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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