# NTSB NYC86FGM07: Tapaszy Benson B-8-M, N6154, Cooperstown, PA, September 13, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: September 13, 1986, 11:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Cooperstown, PA
- Location: 41.4998° N, 79.8736° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Cooperstown, PA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4998&lon=-79.8736&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30213
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC86FGM07
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30213/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC86FGM07

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - light condition - daylight
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

THE BENSON B-8-M GYROCOPTER WAS OBSERVED TO TAKE OFF AND TRANSITION TO LEVEL FLIGHT. THE NOSE OF THE AIRCRAFT WAS THEN OBSERVED TO DIP AND THEN THE AIRCRAFT BANKED LEFT AND CRASHED. THE AIRCRAFT WAS DESTROYED AND THE PILOT RECEIVED FATAL INJURIES. NO PRE-EXISTING FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND. THE REASON FOR THE LOSS OF CONTROL COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE PLTS FLT TIME WAS NOT REPORTED OR AVAILABLE. THE PLT WAS NOT CERTIFICATED FOR FLT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6154](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6154-1991-09-10), registration cancelled 1991-09-10, S/N 1 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: TAPASZY BENSON B-8-M (BENSON B-8)
- Registry model: [Tapaszy ROTORCRAFT](https://openairdocs.org/model/tapaszy-rotorcraft) (registry code 13007DL) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1
- Engines: VOLKSWAGEN 1600CC 82 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Mario C. Hajduk
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, May 31, 1979
- Departed: COOPERSTOWN, PA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; seat: center; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FKL, 10 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 19860913044709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860913044709A), Sep 13, 1986: Amtrbx BENSENB8M, Cooperstown, PA, Destroyed. Aircraft ptiched nose down and turned left and impacted ground. Uncertificated pilot and aircraft.

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.