# NTSB MKC83FA113: Bensen B-8M, Herington, KS, May 22, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 22, 1983, 18:10 local (23:10 UTC)
- Place: Herington, KS
- Coordinates: 38.670219, -96.940467 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6702&lon=-96.9405&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33330
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC83FA113
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33330/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC83FA113

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - base turn
  - fuel system,tank - separation (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - rotor system,main rotor blade - foreign object damage (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE BUILDER/PLT PURCHASED THE BASIC AIRFRAME & ROTOR KIT FROM BENSEN, BUT PURCHASED THE ENG FROM ANOTHER SOURCE. THE ENG WAS NOT MODIFIED IAW BENSEN INSTRUCTIONS. REPORTEDLY, THE PLT WAS ONLY GOING TO CONDUCT TAXI & GROUND RUNS WHEN HE STARTED AT APRX 1100 CDT. HOWEVER, AFTER A NUMBER OF TAXI & HI SPEED RUNS, THE GYROCOPTER WAS OBSERVED TO TAKEOFF AT APRX 1800 CDT. AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PLT TURNED TO A DOWNWIND, THEN A BASE LEG. A WITNESS REPORTED SEEING SOMETHING FALL FROM THE ACFT BEFORE IT DESCENDED FROM HIS VIEW. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT CRASHED APRX 1500 FT FROM THE APCH END OF THE RWY IN A 50 TO 55 DEG BANK. A 6 GAL FUEL CAN WAS FOUND APRX 90 FT FROM THE ACFT. THE CAN HAD BEEN ATTACHED WITH 2 ELASTIC SHOCK CORDS, WHICH WAS NOT IAW BENSEN INSTRUCTIONS. PAINT & SCRAPE MARKS ON THE ROTOR BLADES & THE FUEL CAN MATCHED ONE ANOTHER. THE PLT WAS NOT CERTIFICATED & NO EVIDENCE WAS FOUND THAT HE HAD PREVIOUS FLT EXPERIENCE. THE WORD 'ULTRALIGHT' WAS FOUND PAINTED ON THE MAST OF THE GYROCOPTER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BENSEN B-8M
- Category: Unknown, amateur-built
- Engines: McCulloch 4318-A 72 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert L. Smith
- Airport: 7K1, Herington Muni, runway 35, 4,200 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: center; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SLN

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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