# NTSB CHI95LA322: Benham F8L Falco, N11HM, Augusta, KS, September 17, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 17, 1995, 18:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place: Augusta, KS
- Coordinates: 37.690128, -96.969566 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6901&lon=-96.9696&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 22, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 10032
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI95LA322
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10032/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95LA322

## Probable cause

a sudden shift in wind direction which resulted in diminished airspeed during takeoff.

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, takeoff - aborted
  - weather condition - sudden windshift (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - aborted
  - object - fence
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

The pilot stated that a 90 to 100 degree change in wind direction occurred just after liftoff. His airspeed dropped about 10 knots, and he elected to abort the takeoff because of obstacles off the end of the runway. The airplane traveled off the end of the runway and through a fence prior to coming to rest in a wooded area.

## Factual narrative

On September 17, 1995, at 1815 central daylight time, a Benham F8L Falco homebuilt, N11HM, collided with a fence and trees during an aborted takeoff from the Brady-Pippin Field, Augusta, Kansas, while on a personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local flight.  The airplane was destroyed.  The pilot and passenger both reported having received minor injuries.  The flight was to have originated at the time of the accident.

The pilot reported that prior to takeoff the winds were from 180 degrees so he elected to use runway 18 for departure.  He reported that one to two seconds after liftoff his airspeed decreased from 62 KIAS to 52 KIAS and the right wing dropped.  He stated he noted that the midfield windsock was now showing a 90 to 100 degrees shift in the wind direction.  He stated that because of obstacles at the end of the airstrip, he elected to abort the takeoff.

The pilot reported that he applied maximum braking; however, the airplane continued off the end of the runway.  The airplane traveled through a fence and came to stop in a wooded area off the end of the airstrip.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N11HM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N11HM-1996-01-04), registration cancelled 1996-01-04, S/N 1057 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BENHAM F8L FALCO
- Registry model: [Benham Howard C F8L FALCO](https://openairdocs.org/model/benham-howard-c-f8l-falco) (registry code 056225B) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1057
- Airframe hours: 61
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-B1E 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Howard C. Benham
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 28, 1995, 61 hours before
- Departed: KS20
- Destination: 3AU
- Airport: KS20, Brady-Pippin Field, runway 18, 2,500 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 4,500 total, 70 in this make and model, 4,000 as pilot in command, 90 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 8 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19950917029779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950917029779A), Sep 17, 1995: Amtr F8LFALCO, Augusta, KS, Destroyed. Wind shift on liftoff. Aborted due obstacles end runway. Ran off end thru a fence into wooded area. (.4)the pilot stated that a 90 to 100 degree change in wind…

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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