# NTSB LAX71FUQ69: Bensen B-8, N9754, Tehachapi, CA, March 18, 1971

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: March 18, 1971
- Place: Tehachapi, CA · TEHACHAPI, CA
- Location: 35.1430° N, 118.4460° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Tehachapi, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1430&lon=-118.4460&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Uncontrolled descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1971
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 160699
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX71FUQ69
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX71FUQ69

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0788  71/3/18    TEHACHAPI,CALIF     BENSEN B-8          CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 30, 575
        TIME - 1500                    N9754               PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 0 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - HOLIDAY HAVEN
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          TEHACHAPI,CALIF             LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: UNCONTROLLED                IN FLIGHT: UNCONTROLLED DESCENT
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - ATTEMPTED OPERATION BEYOND EXPERIENCE/ABILITY LEVEL
           PILOT IN COMMAND - LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH AIRCRAFT
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - DOWNWIND
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING ON AIRPORT/SEAPLANE BASE/HELIPT.
        REMARKS- ACFT FELL TO GND DURG DWNWND TURN AT LO ALT AND AIRSPEED. PLT SAID ROTOR SPEED BLO 250 RPM.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9754](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9754-2013-03-21), registration cancelled 2013-03-21, S/N 504-16-1539, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BENSEN B-8
- Registry model: [Murl Dezotell B-8M](https://openairdocs.org/model/murl-dezotell-b-8m) (registry code 13007BV) (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: Holiday Haven

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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