# NTSB NYC92LA179: Benson-Callaway B-80, N852DC, Paducah, KY, August 19, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 19, 1992, 11:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Paducah, KY
- Location: 37.0709° N, 88.6445° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Paducah, KY, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.0709&lon=-88.6445&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37221
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC92LA179
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37221/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC92LA179

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS RESULTING IN A FORCED LANDING ON UNSUITABLE TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A CORN FIELD.  THE PILOT SAID, 'FUEL STARVATION DUE TO CONTAMINATION IN FUEL LINES-POWER LOSS-LANDED IN 12' TALL CORN FIELD.'  THE FAA DID NOT RECEIVE NOTIFICATION OF THE ACCIDENT UNTIL SEVEN DAYS AFTER THE OCCURRANCE.  WHEN THE FAA INSPECTORS ARRIVED AT THE AIRPORT WHERE THE WRECKAGE WAS LOCATED, THE GYROPLANE WAS BEING REBUILT AND NO DETERMINATION OF THE ENGINE FAILURE WAS POSSIBLE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N852DC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N852DC-1998-07-22), registration cancelled 1998-07-22, S/N DC8522762 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BENSON-CALLAWAY B-80
- Registry model: [Callaway Donald R BENSEN B-80](https://openairdocs.org/model/callaway-donald-r-bensen-b-80) (registry code 130012F) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: DC8522762
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Ira D.Farrington
- Registered owner: Ira D.Farrington
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 1900, 35 hours before
- Departed: KY29, PADUCAH, KY
- Destination: KY29

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, multi-engine sea, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 20,000 total, 40 in this make and model, 70 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19920819036669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920819036669A), Aug 19, 1992: Amtrbx BENSENB8M, Paducah, KY, Substantial damage. Reported power loss due to contamination in fuel lines. Landed in twelve foot tall cornfield.

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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