# NTSB NYC84FNE02: Benson B8M, N196JB, Willimantic, CT, April 29, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: April 29, 1984, 17:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Willimantic, CT
- Location: 41.7166° N, 72.2117° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Willimantic, CT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7166&lon=-72.2117&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35422
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC84FNE02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35422/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84FNE02

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - gusts
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - crosswind
  - performance data - not understood, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
- Gear collapsed, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE GYROCOPTER CRASHED AFTER THE PLT LOST CONTROL OF THE ACFT IN A WINDY CONDITION, DURING TAKEOFF. A 20 DEGREE X-WIND VELOCITY OF 10 KTS GUSTING TO 35 KTS EXISTED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE PLT TOLD HIS WIFE (WHO WROTE THE REPORT ON THE 6120.1 NTSB REPORTING FORM) THAT HE THOUGHT IF THE ACFT HAD HAD MORE ALTITUDE AT THE TIME OF THE GUST, STABILITY OF THE GYROCOPTER COULD HAVE BEEN MAINTAINED (WITHOUT AN ACCIDENT).

## Aircraft

- Registration: N196JB (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BENSON B8M
- Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1
- Airframe hours: 10
- Engines: MCCULLOCH AF-O-100 72 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John E. Bruch
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, August 10, 1983, 0 hours before
- Airport: 5B0, Windham, runway 24, 4,050 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: front; flight hours: 340 total, 20 in this make and model, 300 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F

## 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 19840429018329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840429018329A), Apr 29, 1984: Amtrbx BENSENB8M, Willimantic, CT, Substantial damage. Lost control in a crosswind gust on initial climbout. Settled on right landing gear which snapped off. Gyro rolled.

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.