# NTSB LAX68A0062: Bensen B8M, N1659, Rialto, CA, December 23, 1967

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: December 23, 1967
- Place: Rialto, CA · RIALTO, CA
- Location: 34.1174° N, 117.3892° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Rialto, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1174&lon=-117.3892&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Uncontrolled descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 11, 1968
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 112565
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX68A0062
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX68A0062

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2-1027  67/12/23   RIALTO,CALIF        BENSEN B8M          CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             STUDENT, AGE 31, 0 TOTAL
        TIME - 1501                    N1659               PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  HOURS, ALL IN TYPE, NOT
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - RIALTO
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: UNCONTROLLED                IN FLIGHT: UNCONTROLLED DESCENT
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER OPERATION OF FLIGHT CONTROLS
           PILOT IN COMMAND - ATTEMPTED OPERATION BEYOND EXPERIENCE/ABILITY LEVEL
           WEATHER - UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITIONS
        WEATHER BRIEFING - NO RECORD OF BRIEFING RECEIVED
        WEATHER FORECAST - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          CLEAR                                                    UNLIMITED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          NONE                                                      65
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          360                                                       25
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR                                                      NONE
        REMARKS- PLT FAILED TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED,ALT,DURING DOWNWIND TURN TOO CLOSE TO THE GROUND.WIND 25K,GUSTS 35
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1659](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1659-2012-09-12), registration cancelled 2012-09-12, S/N 16390-1-C-67, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BENSEN B8M
- Registry model: [Rhoton BENSEN](https://openairdocs.org/model/rhoton-bensen) (registry code 130076Z) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Mcculloch 4318A&E/0-100](https://openairdocs.org/engine/mcculloch-4318a-e-0-100) (registry code 43101, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Rialto

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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