# NTSB MKC82FCG03: Bensen B-8, N3071, Joplin, MO, October 19, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: October 19, 1981
- Place: Joplin, MO · JOPLIN, MO
- Location: 37.0842° N, 94.5133° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Joplin, MO, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.0842&lon=-94.5133&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 6, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 123207
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC82FCG03
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC82FCG03

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2242  81/10/19   JOPLIN,MO           BENSEN B-8          CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 57, 769
        TIME - 1630                    N3071               PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 69 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - JOPLIN MUNI
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          JOPLIN,MO                   LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ROTOR R.P.M.
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS - UNQUALIFIED PERSON OPERATED AIRCRAFT
        REMARKS- LOST ALTITUDE DRG DOWNWIND TURN AFTR TKOF.NOT GYROPLANE RATED.NO CURRENT BFR.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3071 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BENSEN B-8
- Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Joplin Muni

## 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 19811019068239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19811019068239A), Oct 19, 1981: Amtrbx BENSENB8M, Joplin, KS, Substantial damage. Gyroplane crashed while circling airport.

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.