# NTSB FTW77FPG59: Bensen B8M, N3121, Berryville, AR, June 11, 1977

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: June 11, 1977
- Place: Berryville, AR · BERRYVILLE, AR
- Location: 36.3703° N, 93.5683° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Berryville, AR, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3703&lon=-93.5683&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 20, 1977
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 158120
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW77FPG59
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW77FPG59

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1218  77/6/11    BERRYVILLE,AR       BENSEN B8M          CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             STUDENT, AGE 58, 100
        TIME - 1115                    N3121               PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, ALL IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          BERRYVILLE,AR               LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           AIRFRAME FAILURE: IN FLIGHT                              IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER OPERATION OF FLIGHT CONTROLS
        FACTOR(S)
           AIRFRAME - FLIGHT CONTROL SURFACES: RUDDER SURFACES,ATTACHMENTS
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - SEPARATION IN FLIGHT
        REMARKS- M/R BLADE HIT RUDDER PANEL.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3121](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3121-1977-08-18), registration cancelled 1977-08-18, S/N 1, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BENSEN B8M
- Registry model: [Shaddox BENSEN GYROCOPTER B-](https://openairdocs.org/model/shaddox-bensen-gyrocopter-b) (registry code 1300821) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19770611015679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19770611015679A), Jun 11, 1977: Amtr 1300821, Berryville, AR, Destroyed. M/r blade hit rudder panel.

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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