# NTSB CHI79FEE72: Lach/Bensen B8M, N8447, Rockford, IL, July 20, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: July 20, 1979
- Place: Rockford, IL · ROCKFORD, IL
- Location: 42.2711° N, 89.0940° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Rockford, IL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2711&lon=-89.0940&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 13, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 134979
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI79FEE72
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI79FEE72-134979

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1259  79/7/20    ROCKFORD,IL         LACH/BENSEN B8M     CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             STUDENT, AGE 62, 174
        TIME - 1820                    N8447               PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, ALL IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - ROCKFORD
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          ROCKFORD,IL                 LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS - EVASIVE MANEUVER TO AVOID COLLISION
        REMARKS- ACFT FLOWN NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE AFT TKOE.TURN TO AVOID STRIKING POWER LINE.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8447](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8447-2013-05-14), registration cancelled 2013-05-14, S/N 1122, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LACH/BENSEN B8M
- Registry model: [Lach BENSEN B-8M](https://openairdocs.org/model/lach-bensen-b-8m) (registry code 1302110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Gyroplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Rockford

## 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 19790720015979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790720015979A), Jul 20, 1979: Amtrbx BENSENB8M, Rockford, IL, Substantial damage. Took off and climbed out in simi stall. Descended into a corn field at the end of the runway.

## Other investigations on N8447 (1)

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.

- [NTSB BFO93LA149](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO93LA149), Sep 2, 1993: Lach Bensen B-8M (N8447), Fall River, MA, substantial damage. Probable cause: FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE GYROCOPTER'S MAIN ROTOR CONTROL ARM. fACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: A LOOSE CLAMP ON THE ROTOR CONTROL ARM, DUE TO INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE OR INSPECTION, WHICH RESULTED…

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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