# NTSB LAX76DUM11: Bensen B8M, N4245, San Diego, CA, November 8, 1975

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: November 8, 1975
- Place: San Diego, CA · SAN DIEGO, CA
- Location: 32.7153° N, 117.1573° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of San Diego, CA, within about 10 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7153&lon=-117.1573&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 December 18, 1975
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 151898
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX76DUM11
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX76DUM11

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3358   75/11/8   SAN DIEGO,CA        BENSEN B8M          CR-  0  0  1  MISCELLANEOUS             STUDENT, AGE 26, 20 TOTAL
        TIME - 1155                    N4245               PX-  0  0  0  TEST                      HOURS, ALL IN TYPE, NOT
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          SAN DIEGO,CA                LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: UNCONTROLLED                IN FLIGHT: UNCONTROLLED DESCENT
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           ROTORCRAFT - ROTOR ASSEMBLIES: MAIN ROTOR HEAD ASSEMBLIES
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - JAMMED
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST IN WATER
        REMARKS- PILOT FAILED TO REMOVE WEDGE SPACER IN ROTOR HEAD BFOR FLT. FLOAT EQUIPPED GYRO.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4245](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4245-2012-11-07), registration cancelled 2012-11-07, S/N 1, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BENSEN B8M
- Registry model: [Wilson BENSEN B8M](https://openairdocs.org/model/wilson-bensen-b8m) (registry code 1300417) (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: Destroyed

## 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 19751108035659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19751108035659A), Nov 8, 1975: Amtr 1300441, San Diego, CA, Destroyed. Pilot failed to remove wedge spacer in rotor head bfor flt. Float equipped gyro.

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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