# NTSB MIA77FLA26: Bensen BM-8, N64613, Palatka, FL, April 16, 1977

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: April 16, 1977
- Place: Palatka, FL · PALATKA, FL
- Location: 29.6501° N, 81.6719° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Palatka, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.6501&lon=-81.6719&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 20, 1977
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 157879
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA77FLA26
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA77FLA26

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1769  77/4/16  NR.PALATKA,FL         BENSEN BM-8         CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             STUDENT, AGE 31, 73 TOTAL
        TIME - 1620                    N64613              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  HOURS, 25 IN TYPE, NOT
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - KAY LARKIN
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         PALATKA,FL                   LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: UNCONTROLLED                LANDING: TRAFFIC PATTERN-CIRCLING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER OPERATION OF FLIGHT CONTROLS
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITIONS
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          CLEAR                                                    UNLIMITED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          NONE                                                      86
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          120                                                       11
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR                                                      NONE
        REMARKS- GUSTS TO EST 25KTS.NO KNOWN INSTRUCTION RECD IN GYROCOPTERS.M/R STRUCK TAILBOOM IN DESCENT.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N64613](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N64613-2014-11-12), registration cancelled 2014-11-12, S/N BC-2 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BENSEN BM-8
- Registry model: [Cooley BENSEN B-8M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cooley-bensen-b-8m) (registry code 13021K7) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Kay Larkin

## 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 19770416011979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19770416011979A), Apr 16, 1977: Schzow MODELB, Palatka, FL, Destroyed. Gusts to EST 25KTS.no known instruction recd in gyrocopters.m/r struck tailboom in descent.

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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