# NTSB DEN84LTI01: Benson B8M, N4415W, Libby, MT, October 16, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: October 16, 1983, 16:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Libby, MT
- Coordinates: 48.319568, -115.360427 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.3196&lon=-115.3604&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16497
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN84LTI01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16497/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84LTI01

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - throttle/power control - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED INTO TREES DURING A TAKEOFF AND DESCENDED INVERTED TO THE GROUND. THE PILOT STATED HE HAD NOT INTENDED TO FLY A PATTERN BUT MERELY TAKEOFF AND LAND IN A MODIFIED HIGH SPEED TAXI RUN. BUT ON THIS LAST RUN HE RAN OUT OF RWY AND DECIDED TO GO AROUND THE PATTERN. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT THE ENGINE STARTED TO OVERHEAT SO HE REDUCED POWER AND THE ACFT SETTLED INTO THE TREES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4415W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4415W-1991-04-30), registration cancelled 1991-04-30, S/N 15007 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BENSON B8M
- Registry model: [Squires William C BENSEN B80](https://openairdocs.org/model/squires-william-c-bensen-b80) (registry code 13001LN) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Gyroplane
- Serial number: 15007
- Airframe hours: 54
- Engines: MCCULLOCH O-100-1 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jack Bingham
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 21, 1983, 26 hours before
- Departed: LIBBY, MT
- Airport: S59, Libbt, runway 32, 4,200 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; seat: right; flight hours: 11 total, 11 in this make and model, 9 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 3 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °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 19831016060829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831016060829A), Oct 16, 1983: Amtrbx BENSENB8M, Libby, WA, Substantial damage. Engine overheated in the pattern. Retarded throttle. Gyroplane settled into trees. No pilot license or medical.

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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