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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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September 9, 1982 · Bensen BM8 · N9463A

Zilwauker, MI

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 9, 1982
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Zilwauker, MI
Aircraft
Bensen BM8
Tail Number
N9463A
Operator
Ralph R Porlaf
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI82DA349

DURING FLIGHT AT ABOUT 1500 FT AGL, THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PILOT MADE A STEEP APPROACH TO LAND IN A SMALL FIELD SURROUNDED BY POWER LINES. HE STATED THAT DURING AN EXTREME FLARE TO STOP THE FORWARD FLIGHT, THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES HIT THE GROUND AND THE ROTOR MAST FAILED. AN EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE NO. 1 AND NO. 2 PISTONS WERE DAMAGED BY NEEDLE BEARINGS FROM THE NO. 2 WRIST PIN, MCCULLOCK PN GB138X.

Full Narrative

DURING FLIGHT AT ABOUT 1500 FT AGL, THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PILOT MADE A STEEP APPROACH TO LAND IN A SMALL FIELD SURROUNDED BY POWER LINES. HE STATED THAT DURING AN EXTREME FLARE TO STOP THE FORWARD FLIGHT, THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES HIT THE GROUND AND THE ROTOR MAST FAILED. AN EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE NO. 1 AND NO. 2 PISTONS WERE DAMAGED BY NEEDLE BEARINGS FROM THE NO. 2 WRIST PIN, MCCULLOCK PN GB138X.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:00 EDT
Nearest AirportBROWNE (0nm N)
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBensen BM8
Tail NumberN9463A
Aircraft CategoryGyro
DamageDestroyed
OperatorRalph R Porlaf
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsMccullock · 4318AX · Reciprocating
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 51 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind210° @ 12 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point17 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg

Appendix: Source Data