# NTSB MIA84FA112: Swanson/Bensen B-8M, N8067W, Dunnellon, FL, March 16, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 16, 1984, 15:09 local (20:09 UTC)
- Place: Dunnellon, FL
- Location: 29.0618° N, 82.3766° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at MARION COUNTY (X35), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.0618&lon=-82.3766&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30980
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA84FA112
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30980/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA84FA112

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - aircraft handling - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of recent experience in kind of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT WAS TOLD BY THE OWNER OF THE ACFT TO ONLY TAXI THE ACFT & NOT TO FLY IT. DURING THE 6TH TAXI MANEUVER IT BECAME AIRBORNE. IT CLIMBED TO ABOUT 200 FT AGL WHERE THE PLT MADE A 180 DEG TURN, FOLLOWED BY A 90 DEG TURN, FOLLOWED BY ANOTHER 180 DEG TURN. DURING THIS LAST TURN, THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED TO 'PORPOISE' OR FLUCTUATE IN ALTITUDE. THE M/R BLADE BEGAN TO 'FLAP' OR CONE ON THE 3RD 'PORPOISE.' THE ACFT STRUCK THE GROUND & ROLLED ON ITS LEFT SIDE ON TOP OF THE PLT. THE OWNER OF THE ACFT ESTIMATED THAT THE STUDENT PLT HAD 23 HRS OF GYROCOPTER TIME, BUT HAD NOT FLOWN IN THE LAST 60 DAYS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8067W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8067W-2014-11-19), registration cancelled 2014-11-19, S/N 1, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SWANSON/BENSEN B-8M
- Registry model: [Swanson Charles A B-8M](https://openairdocs.org/model/swanson-charles-a-b-8m) (registry code 13021BQ) (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: 001
- Airframe hours: 500
- Engines: MCCULLOCH 4318A 72 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Francis Homer Lloyd
- Registered owner: Charles A. Swanson
- Airport: X35, Dunnellon Mun.

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 23 in this make and model, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GNV, 38 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 19840316005949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840316005949A), Mar 16, 1984: Amtrbx BENSENB8M, Dunnellon, FL, Substantial damage. Made unauthorized flight during taxi practice. Allowed porpoising. Rotors coned. Gyroplane crashed. Rolled on pilot

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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