# NTSB LAX68A0088: Bensen B-8, N1697, Adelanto, CA, March 16, 1968

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: March 16, 1968
- Place: Adelanto, CA · ADELANTO, CA
- Location: 34.5828° N, 117.4092° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Adelanto, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5828&lon=-117.4092&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 22, 1968
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 111657
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX68A0088
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX68A0088

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0530  68/3/16    ADELANTO,CALIF      BENSEN B-8          CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             STUDENT, AGE 53, 2900
        TIME - 1230                    N1697               PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 81 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - EL MIRAGE
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
           HARD LANDING                                             LANDING: POWER-OFF AUTOROTATIVE LANDING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           POWERPLANT - FUEL SYSTEM: PUMPS
          PWR PLT-DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP DIAPHRAGM.
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ROTOR R.P.M.
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER OPERATION OF FLIGHT CONTROLS
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1697](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1697-1970-06-26), registration cancelled 1970-06-26, S/N 127672590 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BENSEN B-8
- Registry model: [Smith-Bensen B-8](https://openairdocs.org/model/smith-bensen-b-8) (registry code 1300773) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: El Mirage

## Other investigations on N1697 (2)

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.

- [NTSB OAK69F0123](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK69F0123), Aug 24, 1968: Bensen B-8 (N1697), Santa Rosa, CA, destroyed, 1 fatal
- [NTSB LAX67A0081](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX67A0081), Mar 2, 1967: Bensen B-8 (N1697), Fontana, CA, substantial damage

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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