# NTSB CHI99LA200: Gillmore Benson B&M, N2152G, Greencastle, IN, June 26, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 26, 1999, 08:30 local (13:30 UTC) - Place: Greencastle, IN - Coordinates: 39.6399, -86.840644 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6399&lon=-86.8406&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report November 30, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46625 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI99LA200 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46625/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI99LA200 ## Probable cause the failure of the cyclic control rod. Factors were aircraft control not possible for the pilot. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, cruise - rotorcraft flight control,cyclic control rod - fractured (cause) - aircraft control - not possible (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The pilot said that the roll control was lost and while attempting to maneuver for a landing. He said that on approach '... about 200 ft and 400 yards from the threshold of the runway the first violent left bank occurred.' He said he applied controls to counter the bank and the gyroplane '... sluggishly started turning back to the right...' He said that he then began to nose the gyroplane down to gain some airspeed and at that point the engine suffered a loss of power. He said that about 50 feet above ground level, '... the machine made another violent roll to the left and nosed toward the ground.' He said opposite controls did not arrest the roll and the gyroplane impacted the terrain just left of the runway. An examination of the gyroplane subsequent to the accident found that the right cyclic control rod was fractured. The fracture was discolored with corrosion through 90% of the material All other mechanical anomalies were consistent with impact damage. ## Factual narrative On June 26, 1999, at 0830 eastern standard time, a Gillmore Benson B&M (amateur built gyroplane), N2152G, departed controlled flight and impacted the terrain near Greencastle, Indiana. The gyroplane sustained substantial damage, while the pilot received serious injuries. The personal 14 CFR part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The local flight departed about 0715. The pilot said that the roll control was lost and while attempting to maneuver for a landing on runway 18. He said that on approach "... about 200 ft and 400 yards from the threshold of the runway the first violent left bank occurred." He said he applied controls to counter the bank, and the gyroplane "... sluggishly started turning back to the right..." He said that he then began to nose the gyroplane down to gain some airspeed and at that point the engine suffered a loss of power. He said that about 50 feet above ground level, "... the machine made another violent roll to the left and nosed toward the ground." He said that opposite controls did not arrest the roll and the gyroplane impacted the terrain just left of the runway. An examination of the gyroplane subsequent to the accident found that the right cyclic control rod was fractured. The Federal Aviation Administration inspector found the fracture discolored with corrosion through 90% of the material. He said the rod was necessary to maintain the roll control of the gyroplane. All other mechanical anomalies found were consistent with impact damage, according to the inspector. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2152G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2152G-2013-07-01), registration cancelled 2013-07-01, S/N 5159 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Gillmore BENSON B&M - Registry model: [Gillmore John BENSEN B8M](https://openairdocs.org/model/gillmore-john-bensen-b8m) (registry code 13021ZP) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 216042 - Engines: Subaru EA81-TURBO 107 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: John E. Gillmore - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: 4I7 - Airport: 4I7, Putnam County, runway 18, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 130 total, 4 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 5 knots - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °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 19990626007679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990626007679A), Jun 26, 1999: Amtr BENSENB8M, Grenncastle, IN, Substantial damage. Acft was being tested after maintenance on the turbocharger, when according to a witness, the acft was going back and forth over the rwy for approximately 15… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.