# NTSB MIA77FLA36: Bensen B-8-MG, N3120, St Augustine, FL, June 4, 1977

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: June 4, 1977
- Place: St Augustine, FL · ST AUGUSTINE, FL
- Location: 29.8960° N, 81.3116° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of St. Augustine, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.8960&lon=-81.3116&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Uncontrolled descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1977
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 147350
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA77FLA36
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA77FLA36

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2557   77/6/4  NR.ST AUGUSTINE,FL    BENSEN B-8-MG       CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             STUDENT, AGE 23, 10 TOTAL
        TIME - 1510                    N3120               PX-  0  0  0  PRACTICE                  HOURS, ALL IN TYPE, NOT
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         ST AUGUSTINE,FL              LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: UNCONTROLLED                IN FLIGHT: UNCONTROLLED DESCENT
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER OPERATION OF FLIGHT CONTROLS
           PILOT IN COMMAND - LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH AIRCRAFT
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3120 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BENSEN B-8-MG
- Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: 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.

---
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.