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NTSB Report
June 19, 1983 · Mareik-Bensen B-8M · N7045
Santa Maria, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 19, 1983
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Santa Maria, CA
Aircraft
Mareik-Bensen B-8M
Tail Number
N7045
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX83LUQ03
THE GRYOPLANE WAS OBSERVED TO DEPART FROM CONTROLLED FLT AT OR BELOW 800 FT AGL & THE PLT BECAME SEPARATED FROM THE ACFT. BOTH IMPACTED THE GROUND IN A NEAR VERTICAL DESCENT ABOUT 40 FT APART. THE PLT'S BLOOD ALCOHOL CONTENT WAS 0.13%. THE CLASP ENDS OF THE SEAT BELT STRAPS WERE OPEN. BOTH WEBBINGS OF THE TWO STRAPS WERE IMPREGNATED WITH GREASE & FOREIGNMATERIAL. THE METAL CLASP 'GRIPS' WERE ROUNDED OFF & THE GROOVES BETWEEN THEM CONTAINED FOREIGN MATERIAL. THE LEFT STRAPSTICHING ON THE UPPER EDGE OF THE STRAP WAS WORN & DETERIORATED ALONG A LENGTH OF 6 INCHES IN THE AREA WHERE THE METAL CLASP WOULD NORMALLY BE CLASPED WHEN AROUND AN OCCUPANT. AFTER THE ACCIDENT THE SEAT BELTS WERE CLASPED TOGETHER & SEVERAL HARD TUGS WITH ONE HAND WAS SUFFICIENT TO CAUSE THE SEAT BELT TO COME OPEN. THIS PROCEDURE WAS TESTED SIX TIMES WITH THE SAME RESULTS.
Full Narrative
THE GRYOPLANE WAS OBSERVED TO DEPART FROM CONTROLLED FLT AT OR BELOW 800 FT AGL & THE PLT BECAME SEPARATED FROM THE ACFT. BOTH IMPACTED THE GROUND IN A NEAR VERTICAL DESCENT ABOUT 40 FT APART. THE PLT'S BLOOD ALCOHOL CONTENT WAS 0.13%. THE CLASP ENDS OF THE SEAT BELT STRAPS WERE OPEN. BOTH WEBBINGS OF THE TWO STRAPS WERE IMPREGNATED WITH GREASE & FOREIGNMATERIAL. THE METAL CLASP 'GRIPS' WERE ROUNDED OFF & THE GROOVES BETWEEN THEM CONTAINED FOREIGN MATERIAL. THE LEFT STRAPSTICHING ON THE UPPER EDGE OF THE STRAP WAS WORN & DETERIORATED ALONG A LENGTH OF 6 INCHES IN THE AREA WHERE THE METAL CLASP WOULD NORMALLY BE CLASPED WHEN AROUND AN OCCUPANT. AFTER THE ACCIDENT THE SEAT BELTS WERE CLASPED TOGETHER & SEVERAL HARD TUGS WITH ONE HAND WAS SUFFICIENT TO CAUSE THE SEAT BELT TO COME OPEN. THIS PROCEDURE WAS TESTED SIX TIMES WITH THE SAME RESULTS.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:30 PDT
Nearest AirportNorthside Airpark (0nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftMareik-Bensen B-8M
Tail NumberN7045
Aircraft CategoryGyro
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · A&C 75 · Reciprocating
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 49 · Unknown
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind300° @ 7 kt
Visibility12 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 48
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourceWFAC