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NTSB Report
April 13, 1985 · Sederberg Bensen B-8M Bensen B-8 · N4544L
Lower Lake, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 13, 1985
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Lower Lake, CA
Aircraft
Sederberg Bensen B-8M Bensen B-8
Tail Number
N4544L
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX85LA201
FOLLOWING A NORMAL TAKEOFF WITH THE FUEL TANK ONE-HALF FULL, THE ACFT CLIMBED TO 1000 FT AGL AT WHICH TIME ENGINE PWR WAS GRADUALLY LOST. A GRND WITNESS REPORTED HEARING THE ENG SPUTTER OR MISS. THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO RETURN TO THE ARPT BUT HAD INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE AND THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A 50 TO 60 FT TALL TREE. THE REASON FOR THE LOSS OF ENG PWR IS UNKNOWN. THE PLT WAS THE BUILDER OF THE EXPERIMENTAL ACFT & HAD JUST REINSTALLED THE ENG PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.
Full Narrative
FOLLOWING A NORMAL TAKEOFF WITH THE FUEL TANK ONE-HALF FULL, THE ACFT CLIMBED TO 1000 FT AGL AT WHICH TIME ENGINE PWR WAS GRADUALLY LOST. A GRND WITNESS REPORTED HEARING THE ENG SPUTTER OR MISS. THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO RETURN TO THE ARPT BUT HAD INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE AND THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A 50 TO 60 FT TALL TREE. THE REASON FOR THE LOSS OF ENG PWR IS UNKNOWN. THE PLT WAS THE BUILDER OF THE EXPERIMENTAL ACFT & HAD JUST REINSTALLED THE ENG PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:47 PST
Nearest AirportPearce Fld (1nm WNW)
Runway30
Runway Length2485 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftSederberg Bensen B-8M Bensen B-8
Tail NumberN4544L
Aircraft CategoryGyro
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsMcculloch · 100-13 · Reciprocating · 90
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 41 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO