Goddard Dick Sim BENSEN B-8M N532KB

Summary

On 13 August 2022 at about 19:48 local time, a Goddard Dick Sim BENSEN B-8M registered N532KB was involved in an accident near Corona, California, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

13 August 2022 at 19:48

Classification

Accident

Location

Corona, California, United States

Nearest airport

Corona Muni (AJO)

Coordinates

33.8945, -117.5839

Aircraft

Goddard Dick Sim BENSEN B-8M

Registration

N532KB

Category

Gyrocraft

Year built

2007

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR22LA302

1 person had minor injuries.

The fatigue failure of the engine mount resulting in a loss of engine power and directional control while maneuvering.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot of the gyroplane reported that, while in the traffic pattern and shortly after a turn onto the final approach leg, he heard and felt a “bang” and the engine lost power. The pilot attempted to maintain airspeed; however, the gyroplane entered a descending, slow spin. The pilot was able to flare just before landing hard in a flat attitude. The gyroplane contacted the dirt and flipped onto its side before the rotor blades came to a stop. Postaccident examination of the engine mount revealed fatigue cracks exhibiting ratchet marks with multiple origin points emanating from the toe weld that secured two washers onto the steel tube. When the engine mount failed, it dropped several inches and allowed the propeller to strike the keel tube, severing the right rudder cable and causing a loss of directional control while maneuvering.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.