# NTSB FTW89DRA03: Benson B-8-M, N9763N, La Porte, TX, March 25, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: March 25, 1989, 10:12 local (16:12 UTC)
- Place: La Porte, TX
- Coordinates: 29.660509, -95.04029 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.6605&lon=-95.0403&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 2, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22716
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89DRA03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22716/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89DRA03

## Probable cause

HARD LANDING WHICH OCCURRED AS A RESULT OF THE PILOT HAVING TO EXTEND HIS GLIDE OVER OBSTACLES ON SHORT FINAL TO THE FORCED LANDING AREA. THE FORCED LANDING WAS EXECUTED AS A RESULT OF ENGINE PERFORMANCE DEGRADATION DUE TO INDUCTION ICING FOR WHICH NO PROVISIONS HAD BEEN MADE DURING THE INSTALLATION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, climb - to cruise
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause)
  - carburetor heat control - not installed (cause)
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - proper descent rate - not possible, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

DURING THE TAKEOFF CLIMB THE ACFT SUSTAINED A LOSS OF POWER. THE STUDENT PLT HAD TO EXTEND THE GLIDE TO CLEAR OBSTACLES DURING THE FORCED LANDING. THE PLT STATED THE ENG RPM GRADUALLY DECREASED DURING THE CLIMB TO THE POINT THAT HE COULD NOT SUSTAIN FLT. THE ICING PROBABILITY CHARTS INDICATED THAT CONDITIONS WERE FAVORABLE FOR THE FORMATION OF VISIBLE ICE IN THE INDUCTION SYSTEM AT RATED PWR. THERE WAS NO OTHER SUITABLE TERRAIN AVAILABLE FOR THE FORCED LNDG.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9763N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9763N-1999-11-01), registration cancelled 1999-11-01, S/N 9587-2-8014MF (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BENSON B-8-M
- Registry model: [Faulk Marvin B8M](https://openairdocs.org/model/faulk-marvin-b8m) (registry code 13021QU) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 9587-2-8014M
- Airframe hours: 10
- Engines: Volkswagen 1800CC 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Faulk, Mrvin L.
- Registered owner: Marvin Faulk
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 7, 1989, 10 hours before
- Departed: T-41, LA PORTE, TX
- Destination: T-41
- Airport: T-41

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 90 total, 10 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,300 ft overcast
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HOU, 11 nm away

## 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 19890325004669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890325004669A), Mar 25, 1989: Amtrbx BENSENB8M, La Porte, TX, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climbout. Autorotated into a field with vertical hard impact. Possible carb ice. No carburetor heat.

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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