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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

May 31, 1995 · Knoll-Bensen B-80 · N12JK

Germansville, PA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 31, 1995
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Germansville, PA
Aircraft
Knoll-Bensen B-80
Tail Number
N12JK
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
BFO95LA056

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE HAD PLANNED TO PRACTICE TAKEOFF AND LANDINGS IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN; HOWEVER, DURING THE LANDING THE FLARE WAS TOO HIGH, AND THE GYROPLANE TOUCHED DOWN HARD. HE STATED THAT THERE WAS NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION AND THE ACCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED IF HE HAD JUDGED THE GYROPLANE'S ALTITUDE BETTER DURING THE FLARE.

NTSB Probable Cause

the private pilot's misjudged flare, which resulted in a hard landing.

Full Narrative

On May 31, 1995, at 1100 eastern daylight time, a Knoll-Bensen B-80 gyroplane, N12JK, operated by the registered owner/builder, sustained substantial damage when it touched down abruptly at the Flying "M" Aerodrome, in Germansville, Pennsylvania. The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The local flight was conducted under 14 CFR 91, originated from Germansville, Pennsylvania, about 1030. The pilot reported that he had planned to practice takeoffs and landings in the traffic pattern. He stated that he completed one takeoff successfully, but during landing "...the flare-out was to high... ." The pilot reported that the gyroplane touched down hard resulting in the main rotor striking the tail and the ground. The pilot stated that there was no mechanical malfunction and that the accident could have been prevented if he had judged the aircraft's altitude better during the flare. According to an FAA Aviation Safety Inspector, the pilot reported that he had not flown the gyroplane for quite a while, and during the landing the gyroplane touched down hard and, "flipped on its side." The aircraft was examined after the accident at the accident site and there was no evidence of mechanical malfunction.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:00 EDT
Nearest AirportFlying M Aerodrome (0nm E)
Runway8
Runway Length2370 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftKnoll-Bensen B-80
Tail NumberN12JK
Aircraft CategoryGyro
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsMcculloch · O-100-1 · Reciprocating · 72
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 61 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 5 kt, gusting 10 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data