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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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July 21, 1990 · Bensen B-8M · N130MP

Hearne, TX

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 21, 1990
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Hearne, TX
Aircraft
Bensen B-8M
Tail Number
N130MP
Operator
Pinson Marcus L
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW90DRA07

SEVERAL WITNESSES, ALL OF WHICH WERE GYROCOPTER PILOTS, STATED THAT IT APPEARED THE PILOT ENTERED A PILOT INDUCED OSCILLATION (PIO) DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB AND THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL. A VIDEO TAPE OF THE ACCIDENT SHOWED THE AIRCRAFT ENTER A SERIES OF DIVERGENT NOSE UP AND NOSE DOWN MANEUVERS, THE FIRST OF WHICH WAS A NOSE PITCH UP. THE AIRCRAFT SUBSEQUENTLY ENTERED A STEEP DESCENT, WENT INVERTED, AND IMPACTED THE GROUND. NO EVIDENCE OF PRE-IMPACT FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND. THE PILOT DID NOT HAVE A GYROCOPTER RATING AND HAD ACCUMULATED A TOTAL OF ABOUT 40 HOURS OF FLIGHT TIME IN THE MAKE AND MODEL AIRCRAFT.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S LOSS OF CONTROL IN FLIGHT DUE TO EXCESSIVE CONTROL INPUTS AND HIS ABRUPT ATTEMPTS TO RECOVER CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT PRIOR TO IMPACT.

Full Narrative

SEVERAL WITNESSES, ALL OF WHICH WERE GYROCOPTER PILOTS, STATED THAT IT APPEARED THE PILOT ENTERED A PILOT INDUCED OSCILLATION (PIO) DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB AND THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL. A VIDEO TAPE OF THE ACCIDENT SHOWED THE AIRCRAFT ENTER A SERIES OF DIVERGENT NOSE UP AND NOSE DOWN MANEUVERS, THE FIRST OF WHICH WAS A NOSE PITCH UP. THE AIRCRAFT SUBSEQUENTLY ENTERED A STEEP DESCENT, WENT INVERTED, AND IMPACTED THE GROUND. NO EVIDENCE OF PRE-IMPACT FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND. THE PILOT DID NOT HAVE A GYROCOPTER RATING AND HAD ACCUMULATED A TOTAL OF ABOUT 40 HOURS OF FLIGHT TIME IN THE MAKE AND MODEL AIRCRAFT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:45 CDT
Nearest AirportHearne Muni (0nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBensen B-8M
Tail NumberN130MP
Aircraft CategoryGyro
DamageDestroyed
OperatorPinson Marcus L
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · R532 · Reciprocating · 65
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 59 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 5 kt
Visibility8 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT

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Appendix: Source Data