# NTSB LAX84FUG02: Phaneuf B8 MOD Gyro, N8474, Murrieta, CA, September 2, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: September 1, 1984, 18:03 local (Sep 2, 1984, 01:03 UTC)
- Place: Murrieta, CA
- Location: 33.5539° N, 117.2139° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Murrieta, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5539&lon=-117.2139&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24024
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84FUG02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24024/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84FUG02

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - descent - inadvertent

## Analysis

A WITNESS OBSERVED THE GYROCOPTER CIRCLE THE APRT. ON THE SECOND TIME AROUND, IT DROPPED DOWN LOW ON THE DOWNWIND LEG AND DISAPPEARED BEHIND A SMALL HILL. HE ALSO STATED THE ENG WAS RUNNING AT FULL POWER AND THAT HE COULD HEAR THE ROTOR BLADES STRIKE THE GROUND WHEN THE GYROCOTER CRASHED. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND DURING THE INVESTIGATION. TOXICOLOGICAL TESTS SHOWED THAT THE PLT'S BLOOD/ALCOHOL LEVEL WAS 0.110%.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8474](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8474-2013-05-14), registration cancelled 2013-05-14, S/N SBP-1000, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PHANEUF B8 MOD GYRO (B8 MOD GYR)
- Registry model: [Phaneuf B8 MOD GYRO](https://openairdocs.org/model/phaneuf-b8-mod-gyro) (registry code 13007AR) (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
- Serial number: SBP 1000
- Engines: MCCULLOCH UNKNOWN 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Arthur Galdammer
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: MURRIETA, CA
- Airport: Thompson

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: expired; seat: front; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F

## 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 19840901049609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840901049609A), Sep 1, 1984: Amtrbx BENSENB8M, Murrieta, CA, Destroyed. After circling airport gyrocopter descended and struck ground. No medical or rating. Flying while intoxicated.

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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