# NTSB LAX83LUQ03: Mareik-Bensen B-8M, N7045, Santa Maria, CA, June 19, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: June 18, 1983, 18:30 local (Jun 19, 1983, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: Santa Maria, CA
- Coordinates: 34.819309, -120.409278 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8193&lon=-120.4093&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23880
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LUQ03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23880/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LUQ03

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
- Miscellaneous/other, maneuvering
  - misc eqpt/furnishings,seat belt - deteriorated (cause)
  - misc eqpt/furnishings,seat belt - inadequate (cause)
  - misc eqpt/furnishings,seat belt - disconnected (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE GRYOPLANE WAS OBSERVED TO DEPART FROM CONTROLLED FLT AT OR BELOW 800 FT AGL & THE PLT BECAME SEPARATED FROM THE ACFT. BOTH IMPACTED THE GROUND IN A NEAR VERTICAL DESCENT ABOUT 40 FT APART. THE PLT'S BLOOD ALCOHOL CONTENT WAS 0.13%. THE CLASP ENDS OF THE SEAT BELT STRAPS WERE OPEN. BOTH WEBBINGS OF THE TWO STRAPS WERE IMPREGNATED WITH GREASE & FOREIGNMATERIAL. THE METAL CLASP 'GRIPS' WERE ROUNDED OFF & THE GROOVES BETWEEN THEM CONTAINED FOREIGN MATERIAL. THE LEFT STRAPSTICHING ON THE UPPER EDGE OF THE STRAP WAS WORN & DETERIORATED ALONG A LENGTH OF 6 INCHES IN THE AREA WHERE THE METAL CLASP WOULD NORMALLY BE CLASPED WHEN AROUND AN OCCUPANT. AFTER THE ACCIDENT THE SEAT BELTS WERE CLASPED TOGETHER & SEVERAL HARD TUGS WITH ONE HAND WAS SUFFICIENT TO CAUSE THE SEAT BELT TO COME OPEN. THIS PROCEDURE WAS TESTED SIX TIMES WITH THE SAME RESULTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7045](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7045-2013-05-03), registration cancelled 2013-05-03, S/N 4711, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MAREIK-BENSEN B-8M
- Registry model: [Mareik B-8M](https://openairdocs.org/model/mareik-b-8m) (registry code 1301025) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C75 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c75-series) (registry code 17005, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 4711
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A&C 75 reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Lothar-Mareik
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: 0CR1, SANTA MARIA, CA
- Destination: 0CR1, SANTA MARIA, CA
- Airport: CR1, Northside Airpark

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, expired; seat: center; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SMA, 5 nm away

## 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 19830618025489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830618025489A), Jun 18, 1983: Amtrbx BENSENB8M, Santa Maria, CA, Destroyed. Lost control of gyrocopter while maneuvering over airport. Pilot fell from spinning aircraft prior ground impact.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.