# NTSB DEN85FTI03: Hilliard B-8-M, N8036T, Clinton, MT, March 18, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: March 18, 1985, 15:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Clinton, MT
- Coordinates: 46.609027, -113.589614 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.6090&lon=-113.5896&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16570
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85FTI03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16570/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85FTI03

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - aircraft handling - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - flare - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - anxiety/apprehension, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE GYROCOPTER INADVERTENTLY BECAME AIRBORNE DURING A HIGH SPEED TAXI RUN. THE PLT REPORTED THAT AT AN ALT OF APRX 10-15 FT AGL HE 'CUT THE ENGINE SPEED TO IDLE, AND PULLED THE JOYSTICK FULLY BACK TO LAND.' THIS ACTION PUT THE GYROCOPTER IN A NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE AND THE ROTOR BLADES CONTACTED THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8036T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8036T-1988-05-27), registration cancelled 1988-05-27, S/N H0001 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HILLIARD B-8-M
- Registry model: [Hilliard Michael C HILLIARD B-8](https://openairdocs.org/model/hilliard-michael-c-hilliard-b-8) (registry code 1302014) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: H-0001
- Airframe hours: 55
- Engines: McCulloch 4318 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Michael C. Hilliard
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, July 9, 1984, 55 hours before
- Airport: 25S, Eliott Field

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 29 total, 4 in this make and model, 4 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °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 19850318008219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850318008219A), Mar 18, 1985: Amtrbx BENSENB8M, Clinton, MT, Substantial damage. Became airborne while practicing high speed taxiing. Closed throttle and impacted runway.

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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