Lach BENSEN B-8M N8447

Summary

On 2 September 1993 at about 12:30 local time, a Lach BENSEN B-8M registered N8447, operated by Walter Lach, was involved in an accident near Fall River, Massachusetts, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

2 September 1993 at 12:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Fall River, Massachusetts, United States

Nearest airport

Fall River Muni (FLR)

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Lach BENSEN B-8M

Registration

N8447

Category

Gyrocraft

Engines

1

Operator

Walter Lach

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

BFO93LA149

1 person was seriously injured.

FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE GYROCOPTER'S MAIN ROTOR CONTROL ARM. fACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: A LOOSE CLAMP ON THE ROTOR CONTROL ARM, DUE TO INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE OR INSPECTION, WHICH RESULTED IN CHAFING OF THE CONTROL ARM.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

AS THE PILOT WAS FLARING TO LAND, THE ROTOR CONTROL ARM (CONTROL STICK) FAILED AT A LOCATION JUST ABOVE THE PILOT'S HEAD. THE GYROCOPTER THEN ROLLED OVER AND CRASHED. A METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION REVEALED THE CONTROL ARM HAD FAILED FROM FATIGUE. THE FATIGUE ORIGINATED WHERE THE CONTROL ARM HAD BEEN CHAFED BY A LOOSE CLAMP.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.