# NTSB DIA69F0008: Bensen B-8M, N4210, West Point, VA, June 20, 1968

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: June 20, 1968
- Place: West Point, VA · WEST POINT, VA
- Location: 37.5523° N, 76.8018° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of West Point, VA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5523&lon=-76.8018&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 23, 1968
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 110220
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DIA69F0008
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DIA69F0008

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1592  68/6/20    WEST POINT,VA       BENSEN B-8M         CR-  1  0  0  MISCELLANEOUS             PRIVATE, AGE 33, 363
        TIME - 1730                    N4210               PX-  0  0  0  TEST                      TOTAL HOURS, 1 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - WEST POINT
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           PROPELLER/ROTOR FAILURE: MAIN ROTOR                      TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: UNCONTROLLED                IN FLIGHT: UNCONTROLLED DESCENT
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           ROTORCRAFT - ROTOR ASSEMBLIES: MAIN ROTOR BLADES
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - MATERIAL FAILURE
          ROTORCFT-SUDDEN DISSYMMETRY OF LIFT.
        REMARKS- SECTION,6INX12IN,SEPARATED,PORTION OF BLADE SKIN
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4210](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4210-1971-10-18), registration cancelled 1971-10-18, S/N WEM-68 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BENSEN B-8M
- Registry model: [Bensen B-8M](https://openairdocs.org/model/bensen-b-8m) (registry code 1300516) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: West Point

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.
