# NTSB NYC80FGT21: Bensen B-8M, N3776N, Columbia, PA, September 8, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: September 8, 1980
- Place: Columbia, PA · COLUMBIA, PA
- Location: 40.0349° N, 76.4959° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Columbia, PA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0349&lon=-76.4959&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Uncontrolled descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 23, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 127990
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC80FGT21
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC80FGT21

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3308   80/9/8    COLUMBIA,PA         BENSEN B-8M         CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             STUDENT, AGE 31, 20 TOTAL
        TIME - 0928                    N3776N              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  HOURS, ALL IN TYPE, NOT
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          ELIZABETHTOWN,NJ            COLUMBIA,PA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: UNCONTROLLED                IN FLIGHT: UNCONTROLLED DESCENT
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ROTOR R.P.M.
        REMARKS- WITNESSES OBSD ACFT TUMBLE TO THE GND AFTER HEARING THE ENG PWR DROP TO APRX IDLE RPM.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3776N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3776N-2013-06-04), registration cancelled 2013-06-04, S/N 1, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BENSEN B-8M
- Registry model: [Burkhart Glenn D B-8M](https://openairdocs.org/model/burkhart-glenn-d-b-8m) (registry code 13021DM) (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
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19800908090759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800908090759A), Sep 8, 1980: Amtrbx BENSENB8M, Columbia, PA, Destroyed. Report indicates gyroplanes engine quit. Pilot lost control. Engine restarted before ground impact. Engine check okay.

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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