N2436KRETSINGER BENSEN B8M2015-06-07 NTSB Accident Report

Substantial
Minor

KRETSINGER BENSEN B8MS/N: BA42670-1VWM

Summary

On June 07, 2015, a Kretsinger BENSEN B8M (N2436) was involved in an accident near Maple Plain, MN. 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: The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed, resulting in a loss of control, and a collision with terrain.

The pilot reported that he was making a low pass by the runway and that the gyroplane began settling. He reported that he felt a downdraft from the nearby trees pull the gyroplane down. The pilot reported that he turned down wind to escape the downdraft, he lost lift, and the gyroplane impacted a field sustaining substantial damage to the fuselage.

The pilot reported that there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

This accident is documented in NTSB report GAA15CA109. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N2436.

Accident Details

Date
Sunday, June 7, 2015
NTSB Number
GAA15CA109
Location
Maple Plain, MN
Event ID
20150608X30936
Coordinates
45.002498, -93.671669
Nearest Airport
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
1
Uninjured
0
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed, resulting in a loss of control, and a collision with terrain.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
KRETSINGER
Serial Number
BA42670-1VWM
Year Built
1970
Model / ICAO
BENSEN B8M

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
ELDRIDGE U KRETSINGER
Address
1632 MARYLAND AVE SOUTH
Status
Deregistered
City
ST LOUIS PARK
State / Zip Code
MN 55426
Country
United States

Analysis

The pilot reported that he was making a low pass by the runway and that the gyroplane began settling. He reported that he felt a downdraft from the nearby trees pull the gyroplane down. The pilot reported that he turned down wind to escape the downdraft, he lost lift, and the gyroplane impacted a field sustaining substantial damage to the fuselage.

The pilot reported that there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA15CA109