# NTSB BFO95LA056: Knoll-Bensen B-80, N12JK, Germansville, PA, May 31, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 31, 1995, 11:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Germansville, PA
- Coordinates: 40.719009, -75.710533 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7190&lon=-75.7105&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 30, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9049
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO95LA056
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9049/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO95LA056

## Probable cause

the private pilot's misjudged flare, which resulted in a hard landing.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE HAD PLANNED TO PRACTICE TAKEOFF AND LANDINGS IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN; HOWEVER, DURING THE LANDING THE FLARE WAS TOO HIGH, AND THE GYROPLANE TOUCHED DOWN HARD.  HE STATED THAT THERE WAS NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION AND THE ACCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED IF HE HAD JUDGED THE GYROPLANE'S ALTITUDE BETTER DURING THE FLARE.

## Factual narrative

On May 31, 1995, at 1100 eastern daylight time, a Knoll-Bensen  B-80 gyroplane, N12JK, operated by the registered owner/builder, sustained substantial damage when it touched down abruptly at the Flying "M" Aerodrome, in Germansville, Pennsylvania.  The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed.  The local flight was conducted under 14 CFR 91, originated from Germansville, Pennsylvania, about 1030.

The pilot reported that he had planned to practice takeoffs and landings in the traffic pattern. He stated that he completed one takeoff successfully, but during landing "...the flare-out was to high... ."  The pilot reported that the gyroplane touched down hard resulting in the main rotor striking the tail and the ground.  The pilot stated that there was no mechanical malfunction and that the accident could have been prevented if he had judged the aircraft's altitude better during the flare.

According to an FAA Aviation Safety Inspector, the pilot reported that he had not flown the gyroplane for quite a while, and during the landing the gyroplane touched down hard and, "flipped on its side."  The aircraft was examined after the accident at the accident site and there was no evidence of mechanical malfunction.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N12JK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N12JK-2013-09-13), registration cancelled 2013-09-13, S/N 001 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: KNOLL-BENSEN B-80
- Registry model: [Knoll John B-80](https://openairdocs.org/model/knoll-john-b-80) (registry code 130012V) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Mcculloch 4318A&E/0-100](https://openairdocs.org/engine/mcculloch-4318a-e-0-100) (registry code 43101, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: K-1
- Airframe hours: 100
- Engines: MCCULLOCH O-100-1 72 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John Knoll
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 15, 1995, 2 hours before
- Departed: PA88
- Airport: PA88, Flying M Aerodrome, runway 8, 2,370 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 550 total, 100 in this make and model, 550 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 5 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °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 19950531017739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950531017739A), May 31, 1995: Amtr B8M, Germansville, PA, Substantial damage. Flared high on landing. Dropped to runway. Rotors struck tail and ground. Gyroplane then flipped on its side.

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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