# NTSB FTW90DRA07: Bensen B-8M, N130MP, Hearne, TX, July 21, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: July 21, 1990, 11:45 local (16:45 UTC)
- Place: Hearne, TX
- Coordinates: 30.870708, -96.589645 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.8707&lon=-96.5896&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22974
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90DRA07
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22974/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90DRA07

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S LOSS OF CONTROL IN FLIGHT DUE TO EXCESSIVE CONTROL INPUTS AND HIS ABRUPT ATTEMPTS TO RECOVER CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT PRIOR TO IMPACT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - cyclic - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - remedial action - abrupt, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

SEVERAL WITNESSES, ALL OF WHICH WERE GYROCOPTER PILOTS, STATED THAT IT APPEARED THE PILOT ENTERED A PILOT INDUCED OSCILLATION (PIO) DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB AND THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL. A VIDEO TAPE OF THE ACCIDENT SHOWED THE AIRCRAFT ENTER A SERIES OF DIVERGENT NOSE UP AND NOSE DOWN MANEUVERS, THE FIRST OF WHICH WAS A NOSE PITCH UP. THE AIRCRAFT SUBSEQUENTLY ENTERED A STEEP DESCENT, WENT INVERTED, AND IMPACTED THE GROUND. NO EVIDENCE OF PRE-IMPACT FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND. THE PILOT DID NOT HAVE A GYROCOPTER RATING AND HAD ACCUMULATED A TOTAL OF ABOUT 40 HOURS OF FLIGHT TIME IN THE MAKE AND MODEL AIRCRAFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N130MP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N130MP-2014-12-22), registration cancelled 2014-12-22, S/N 2 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BENSEN B-8M
- Registry model: [Pinson M L BENSEN B-8M](https://openairdocs.org/model/pinson-m-l-bensen-b-8m) (registry code 13021QB) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 2
- Engines: ROTAX R532 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Pinson, Marcus L.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 15, 1989, 40 hours before
- Departed: T72
- Destination: T72
- Airport: T72, Hearne Muni

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 220 total, 40 in this make and model, 80 as pilot in command, 55 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 9 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19900721027549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900721027549A), Jul 21, 1990: Amtrbx BENSENB8M, Hearne, TX, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Over controlled on climbout. Pitched up and down,lost control,became inverted and crashed.

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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