# NTSB LAX79FVM27: Bensen B8M, N1450, Paso Robles, CA, June 17, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: June 17, 1979
- Place: Paso Robles, CA · PASO ROBLES, CA
- Location: 35.6266° N, 120.6910° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Paso Robles, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6266&lon=-120.6910&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 27, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 135931
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX79FVM27
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX79FVM27

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1859  79/6/17    PASO ROBLES,CA      BENSEN B8M          CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 67, 259
        TIME - 1045                    N1450               PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, UNK/NR IN
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, NOT INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - PASO ROBLES
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          PASO ROBLES,CA             UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           AIRFRAME FAILURE: IN FLIGHT                              TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: UNCONTROLLED                IN FLIGHT: UNCONTROLLED DESCENT
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS - UNDETERMINED
        REMARKS- PREVIOUS HARD LNDGS RESULTED W CONTROL RODS BEING BENT & STRAIGHTENED IN THE FIELD.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1450](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1450-1980-04-23), registration cancelled 1980-04-23, S/N 1, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BENSEN B8M
- Registry model: [Culbertson B-8M GYROCOPTER](https://openairdocs.org/model/culbertson-b-8m-gyrocopter) (registry code 1300729) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Volkswagen CONVERSION](https://openairdocs.org/engine/volkswagen-conversion) (registry code 63501, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Paso Robles

## 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 19790617014309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790617014309A), Jun 17, 1979: Amtrbx BENSEN8M, Paso Robles, CA, Substantial damage. Acft was observed to make an abrupt change in altitude during initial climb. Rolled over, went straight into ground

## Other investigations on N1450 (1)

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 OAK78DVM49](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK78DVM49), Sep 23, 1978: Benson B8M (N1450), Watsonville, 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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