# NTSB SEA90LA067: Becker Bensen B8M, N87917, Burlington, WA, April 12, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 12, 1990, 16:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Burlington, WA
- Coordinates: 48.530693, -122.309097 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.5307&lon=-122.3091&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report October 20, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41186
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA90LA067
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41186/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90LA067

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM THE PROPELLER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Propeller/rotor contact to person, standing - engine(s) operating
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS GROUND HANDLING THE ACFT FOR TAKEOFF INTO THE WIND, WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING, WHEN HE INADVERTANTLY CAME IN CONTACT WITH THE PROPELLER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N87917](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N87917-2013-05-15), registration cancelled 2013-05-15, S/N 283-40-3647, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BECKER BENSEN B8M
- Registry model: [Becker BENSEN B8M](https://openairdocs.org/model/becker-bensen-b8m) (registry code 13021K8) (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
- Serial number: 283-40-3647
- Airframe hours: 157
- Engines: ROTAX 532 64 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Lawrence D. Becker
- Registered owner: Lawrence D Becker
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 30, 1989, 13 hours before
- Airport: 75S, Skagit Rgnl

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,976 total, 139 in this make and model, 1,762 as pilot in command, 41 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: NUW, 12 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 19900412056569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900412056569A), Apr 12, 1990: Amtrbx BENSENB8M, Burlington/Mt V, WA. Got out of gyroplane, engine idling, to turn craft into wind. Idling prop struck pilots arm reaching to chock wheel

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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