# NTSB OAK78DVA42: Bensen B8M, N8973, Fresno, CA, May 14, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: May 14, 1978
- Place: Fresno, CA · FRESNO, CA
- Location: 36.7477° N, 119.7724° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Fresno, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7477&lon=-119.7724&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 5, 1978
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 142305
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=OAK78DVA42
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK78DVA42

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0971  78/5/14    FRESNO,CA           BENSEN B8M          CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 35, 227
        TIME - 0845                    N8973               PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 180 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          FRESNO,CA                   NAS LEMOORE,CA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
           ROLL OVER                                                LANDING: ROLL-ON/RUN-ON
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           POWERPLANT - LUBRICATING SYSTEM: OTHER
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - MATERIAL FAILURE
           TERRAIN - WET,SOFT GROUND
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- OIL FROM CAM FOLLOWER WIPER PAD LEAKED ON MAG BREAKER POINTS.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8973](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8973-2006-02-14), registration cancelled 2006-02-14, S/N ATG-1, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BENSEN B8M
- Registry model: [Tatarian BENSEN B-8M](https://openairdocs.org/model/tatarian-bensen-b-8m) (registry code 1301202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Mcculloch 4318A&E/0-100](https://openairdocs.org/engine/mcculloch-4318a-e-0-100) (registry code 43101, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19780514010109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780514010109A), May 14, 1978: Amtr 1301202, Fresno, CA, Substantial damage. Oil from cam follower wiper pad leaked on mag breaker points.

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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