# NTSB MIA97LA073: Cress Cress B-8-M (Bensen), N3495, Williston, FL, January 24, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 24, 1997, 17:39 local (22:39 UTC) - Place: Williston, FL - Coordinates: 29.370477, -82.449752 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.3705&lon=-82.4498&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report September 30, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38211 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA97LA073 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38211/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97LA073 ## Probable cause failure of the pilot to maintain rotor rpm, while maneuvering, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent and collision with terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - maneuver - initiated, pilot in command - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis After the gyroplane took off, witnesses heard it maneuvering in the vicinity of the airport. Subsequently, the gyroplane descended, impacted the runway, and came to rest on its side. Examination of the flight controls revealed no evidence of a preimpact failure or malfunction. The witnesses said they heard an increase and decrease in engine power, twice before hearing the engine backfire, shortly before impact with the runway. Examination of the main rotor revealed compression buckling on the bottom side of each blade. ## Factual narrative On January 24, 1997, about 1739 eastern standard time, a homebuilt gyroplane, N3495, registered to a private individual, crashed while maneuvering at the Williston Municipal Airport, Williston, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the flight. The gyroplane was destroyed and the student pilot was fatally injured. The flight originated about 9 minutes earlier. According to an FAA inspector who examined the accident site, the flight departed down runway 22 flying about 40-50 feet above ground level, then at the intersection of runway 14, the pilot initiated a left turn. Witnesses heard the engine power increase then decrease twice then heard a "popped" sound similar to an engine backfiring just before the gyroplane impacted the ground. There were no eyewitnesses to the accident. The gyroplane crashed on runway 14 while on an easterly heading. Two ground scars on the runway were noted to be perpendicular to the flight path and both of the wooden propeller blades were observed to be shattered. One of the main rotor blades was separated but was located about 10 feet south of the crash site. Examination of that blade revealed it was bent downward at about a 45-degree angle about midspan of the blade and the leading edge near the tip was displaced aft. Examination of the blade attached to the mast assembly revealed compression wrinkles on the bottom side of the blade. Fuel and oil stains were noted on the runway beneath the wreckage. Examination of the flight controls revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction. A postmortem examination of the pilot was performed by Carolyn M. Hopkins, M.D., of the Gainesville Medical Examiners Office. The cause of death was listed as massive blunt traumatic injuries. A toxicological analysis was performed on specimens of the pilot by Smith Kline Beecham Clinical Laboratories. All results were negative. Toxicological analysis was also performed by the FAA Toxicology and Accident Research Laboratory. The results were negative for volatiles and tested drugs. Testing for carbon monoxide and cyanide were not performed due to a lack of a suitable specimen. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3495](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3495-1998-09-11), registration cancelled 1998-09-11, S/N 02 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cress CRESS B-8-M (BENSEN) (CRESS B-8-) - Registry model: [Cress Gerald W CRESS B-8-M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cress-gerald-w-cress-b-8-m) (registry code 05628VA) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 02 - Engines: Mcculloch reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Gerald W. Cress - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: X60 - Airport: X60, Williston Municipal ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 250 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 9 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: GNV, 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 19970124000809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970124000809A), Jan 24, 1997: Amtr B8M, Williston, FL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Took off on runway 22. Began left turn over runway 14. Indicates abrupt turn caused rotor coning. Rotors hit prop 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.