# NTSB MIA80DKA09: Bensen B8M, N2294, Vega Baja, PR, August 23, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: August 23, 1980
- Place: Vega Baja, PR · VEGA BAJA, PR
- Location: 18.4411° N, 66.3976° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Vega Baja, PR, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=18.4411&lon=-66.3976&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report December 18, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 129347
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA80DKA09
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA80DKA09

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2880  80/8/23  NR.VEGA BAJA,PR       BENSEN B8M          CR-  0  1  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 64, 6150
        TIME - 1330                    N2294               PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 100 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - TORTUGERO
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         VEGA BAJA,PR                 LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            LANDING: TRAFFIC PATTERN-CIRCLING
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           POWERPLANT - IGNITION SYSTEM: DISTRIBUTOR
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - BINDING
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- DISTRIBUTOR IN VW ENG SEIZED.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2294](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2294-2012-08-13), registration cancelled 2012-08-13, S/N MJT3-16-53, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BENSEN B8M
- Registry model: [Toothaker-Bensen B-8M](https://openairdocs.org/model/toothaker-bensen-b-8m) (registry code 13007TE) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Menasco 0-45](https://openairdocs.org/engine/menasco-0-45) (registry code 43501, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Tortugero

## 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 19800823039079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800823039079A), Aug 23, 1980: Amtrbx BENSENB8M, Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, Substantial damage. Distributor seized. Engine quit in pattern. Trying to make runway and struck trees.

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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