# NTSB FTW78FRG43: Bensen B-8M, N176E, Cotulla, TX, May 18, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: May 18, 1978
- Place: Cotulla, TX · COTULLA, TX
- Location: 28.4364° N, 99.2367° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Cotulla, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.4364&lon=-99.2367&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 13, 1978
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 142350
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW78FRG43
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW78FRG43

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1026  78/5/18  NR.COTULLA,TX         BENSEN B-8M         CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             NO CERTIFICATE, AGE 21,
        TIME - 1900                    N176E               PX-  1  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  15 TOTAL HOURS, ALL IN
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, NOT INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         COTULLA,TX                   LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           NOSE OVER/DOWN                                           TAKEOFF: RUNNING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - ATTEMPTED OPERATION BEYOND EXPERIENCE/ABILITY LEVEL
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH AIRCRAFT
        REMARKS- ENGINE REMOVED.BEING TOWED BY TRUCK.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N176E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N176E-1981-05-04), registration cancelled 1981-05-04, S/N 1, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BENSEN B-8M
- Registry model: [William B English B-8M](https://openairdocs.org/model/william-b-english-b-8m) (registry code 13007DA) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built
- Engines: none
- 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 19780518010019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780518010019A), May 18, 1978: Amtr 13007DA, Cotulla, TX, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Engine removed. Being towed by truck.

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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