# NTSB OAK73FVA51: Bensen B8M, N310, Coalinga, CA, April 23, 1973

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: April 23, 1973
- Place: Coalinga, CA · COALINGA, CA
- Location: 36.1402° N, 120.3520° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Coalinga, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1402&lon=-120.3520&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 24, 1973
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 169503
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=OAK73FVA51
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK73FVA51

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0766  73/4/23    COALINGA,CALIF      BENSEN B8M          CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             STUDENT, AGE 35, 45 TOTAL
        TIME - 1510                    N310                PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  HOURS, 0 IN TYPE, NOT
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - COALINGA
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          COALINGA,CALIF              LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: UNCONTROLLED                IN FLIGHT: OTHER
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - ATTEMPTED OPERATION BEYOND EXPERIENCE/ABILITY LEVEL
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITIONS
        WEATHER BRIEFING - NO RECORD OF BRIEFING RECEIVED
        WEATHER FORECAST - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          CLEAR                                                    UNLIMITED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          NONE                                                      65
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
           10                                                       10
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR                                                      NONE
        REMARKS- PLANNED TO RUN TAXI TEST.ACFT BECAME AIRBORNE AND CRASHED DURG LOW ALT DOWNWIND TURN.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N310](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N310-2009-07-27), registration cancelled 2009-07-27, S/N 0001 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BENSEN B8M
- Registry model: [May BENSEN B-8M](https://openairdocs.org/model/may-bensen-b-8m) (registry code 1300971) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Coalinga

## 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 19730423008059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19730423008059A), Apr 23, 1973: Amtr 1300971, Coalinga, CA, Substantial damage. Planned to run taxi test. Acft became airborne and crashed durg low alt downwind turn.

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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