# NTSB CHI81FEE46: Bensen B8MG, N3778J, Ridott, IL, July 21, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: July 21, 1981
- Place: Ridott, IL · RIDOTT, IL
- Location: 42.2968° N, 89.4771° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Ridott, IL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2968&lon=-89.4771&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 28, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 124671
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI81FEE46
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI81FEE46

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1939  81/7/21    RIDOTT,IL           BENSEN B8MG         CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 53, 69 TOTAL
        TIME - 1510                    N3778J              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  HOURS, 40 IN TYPE, NOT
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - EVARTS RLA
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          RIDOTT,IL                   LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           POWERPLANT - MISCELLANEOUS: POWERPLANT FAILURE FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS - UNQUALIFIED PERSON OPERATED AIRCRAFT
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- NO SOLO ENDORSEMENT FOUND.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3778J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3778J-2013-05-08), registration cancelled 2013-05-08, S/N 2928, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BENSEN B8MG
- Registry model: [James Donald W BENSEN B8MG](https://openairdocs.org/model/james-donald-w-bensen-b8mg) (registry code 1301907) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Mcculloch 4318A&E/0-100](https://openairdocs.org/engine/mcculloch-4318a-e-0-100) (registry code 43101, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Gyroplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Evarts Rla

## 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 19810721043499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810721043499A), Jul 21, 1981: Amtrbx BENSENB8M, Ridott, IL, Substantial damage. Gyrocopter crashed out of control when main rotor mast broke at engine mount attach bolts.

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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