# NTSB OAK74FVG38: Bensen B8M, N73691, Davis, CA, April 9, 1974

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: April 9, 1974
- Place: Davis, CA · DAVIS, CA
- Location: 38.5561° N, 121.7378° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Davis, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5561&lon=-121.7378&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 17, 1974
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 124398
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=OAK74FVG38
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK74FVG38

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1082   74/4/9    DAVIS,CALIF         BENSEN B8M          CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             STUDENT, AGE 22, 0 TOTAL
        TIME - 0955                    N73691              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  HOURS, ALL IN TYPE, NOT
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - YOLO COUNTY
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          DAVIS,CALIF                 LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: UNCONTROLLED                TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - ATTEMPTED OPERATION BEYOND EXPERIENCE/ABILITY LEVEL
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ROTOR R.P.M.
        REMARKS- VW-1600 AUTO ENGINE.PILOT HAD 14 HOURS TOW TIME ONLY.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N73691](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N73691-1981-01-31), registration cancelled 1981-01-31, S/N 8104100, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BENSEN B8M
- Registry model: [Sullivan BENSEN B8M](https://openairdocs.org/model/sullivan-bensen-b8m) (registry code 1300992) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Volkswagen CONVERSION](https://openairdocs.org/engine/volkswagen-conversion) (registry code 63501, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Yolo County

## 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 19740409012469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19740409012469A), Apr 9, 1974: Amtr 1300992, Davis, CA, Substantial damage. VW-1600 auto engine. Pilot had 14 hours tow time only.

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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