# NTSB CHI73FEC09: Bensen Hydro, N5460, Bellevile Lk, MI, September 1, 1973

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: September 1, 1973
- Place: Bellevile Lk, MI · BELLEVILE LK, MI
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 5, 1973
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 201617
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI73FEC09
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI73FEC09-201617

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2373   73/9/1    BELLEVILE LK,MICH   BENSEN HYDRO        CR-  0  0  1  MISCELLANEOUS             PRIVATE, AGE 22, 167
        TIME - 1300                    N5460               PX-  0  0  0  TEST                      TOTAL HOURS, 17 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - WILLOW RUN
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION         LAST ENROUTE STOP
          BELLEVILE LK,MICH           LOCAL                        BELLEVILE LK,MICH
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: UNCONTROLLED                IN FLIGHT: LOW PASS
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER OPERATION OF FLIGHT CONTROLS
           PILOT IN COMMAND - LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH AIRCRAFT
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST IN WATER
        REMARKS- FLOAT EQPD.AT APRX 70FT AGL DSCNDD NEARLY VERTICAL INTO LAKE.ACFT ORIGINALLY GYRO GLIDER ON FLOATS
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5460](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5460-1974-04-23), registration cancelled 1974-04-23, S/N JCL100 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BENSEN HYDRO
- Registry model: [Lorentson BENSEN GYROCOPTER](https://openairdocs.org/model/lorentson-bensen-gyrocopter) (registry code 1300993) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Willow Run

## 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 19730901026979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19730901026979A), Sep 1, 1973: Amtr 1300993, Bellevile Lk, MI, Destroyed. Float eqpd. At aprx 70FT AGL dscndd nearly vertical into lake. Acft originally gyro glider on floats

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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