Summary
On July 05, 1998, a Benson B-8M (N2289V) was involved in an accident near Placida, FL. The accident resulted in 1 minor injury. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: Excessive taxi speed. A related factor was the wind gusts.
On July 5, 1998, about 1700 eastern daylight time, a Benson B-8M homebuilt gyrocopter, N2289V, collided with the ground while taxiing at Rotonda International Airport, in Placida, Florida. The gyrocopter was operated by the non-certificated pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and no flight plan had been filed. The non-certificated pilot received minor injuries and the gyrocopter was substantially damaged. The flight originated from Rotonda International Airport about 10 minutes prior to the accident.
The non-certificated pilot stated he was taxiing too fast downwind, encountered a gust of wind and lost control of the aircraft resulting in a collision with the ground.
This accident is documented in NTSB report ATL98LA097. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N2289V.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
Excessive taxi speed. A related factor was the wind gusts.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On July 5, 1998, about 1700 eastern daylight time, a Benson B-8M homebuilt gyrocopter, N2289V, collided with the ground while taxiing at Rotonda International Airport, in Placida, Florida. The gyrocopter was operated by the non-certificated pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and no flight plan had been filed. The non-certificated pilot received minor injuries and the gyrocopter was substantially damaged. The flight originated from Rotonda International Airport about 10 minutes prior to the accident.
The non-certificated pilot stated he was taxiing too fast downwind, encountered a gust of wind and lost control of the aircraft resulting in a collision with the ground. The accident occurred on July 5, 1998, however, the Safety Board was not notified of the accident until July 14, 1998.
According to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector who visited the scene, the gyrocopter nosed over and came to rest inverted. The main rotor blades were bent beyond repair, rear propeller blades broken off, and all structural components of the gyrocopter bent and twisted resulting in substantial damage.
The pilot estimates he had 60 total hours flown as Pilot In Command of this make/model aircraft, including 10 hours flown over the last 90 days.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ATL98LA097