# NTSB MIA82FA079: Benson B-8M, N25PH, Minneola, FL, March 20, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 20, 1982, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Minneola, FL
- Location: 28.6024° N, 81.7294° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Minneola, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.6024&lon=-81.7294&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 20, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71722
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA82FA079
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71722/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA82FA079

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - rotorcraft flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WITNESSES HEARD AN ENGINE SPUTTER AND LOOKED UP TO SEE THE GYROCOPTER DESCENDING VERTICALLY INTO A NEARBY WOODED AREA WHILE THE NOSE OF THE AIRCRAFT WAS POINTED ALMOST STRAIGHT DOWN. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE PILOT DID NOT POSSESS ANY AERONAUTICAL CERTIFICATES OR RATINGS AND THAT HE HAD ACQUIRED APPROXIMATELY 4 HOURS OF FLIGHT TIME IN GYROCOPTERS AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N25PH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N25PH-1992-06-24), registration cancelled 1992-06-24, S/N 1931 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BENSON B-8M
- Registry model: [Homan Paul E B-8M](https://openairdocs.org/model/homan-paul-e-b-8m) (registry code 13021HF) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1931
- Engines: MCCULLOCH O-100 72 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Paul E. Homan
- Registered owner: Paul E. Homan
- Departed: CLERMONT, FL
- Destination: CLERMONT, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; medical: unknown; flight hours: 4 total, 4 in this make and model, 4 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Temperature: 183 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ORL, 22 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 19820320010289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820320010289A), Mar 20, 1982: Amtrbx BENSENB8M, Minneola, FL, Destroyed. Non certificated pilot flying gyrocopter. Witness heard engine sputter and saw craft dive straight into ground.

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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