KRETSINGER BENSEN B8M
Maple Plain, MN — June 7, 2015
Event Information
| Date | June 7, 2015 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | GAA15CA109 |
| Event ID | 20150608X30936 |
| Location | Maple Plain, MN |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 45.00250, -93.67167 |
| Airport | MAPLE |
| Highest Injury | MINR |
Aircraft
| Make | KRETSINGER |
| Model | BENSEN B8M |
| Category | GYRO |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 1 |
| None | 0 |
| Total Injured | 1 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed, resulting in a loss of control, and a collision with terrain.
Full Narrative
The pilot reported that he was making a low pass by the runway and that the gyroplane began settling. He reported that he felt a downdraft from the nearby trees pull the gyroplane down. The pilot reported that he turned down wind to escape the downdraft, he lost lift, and the gyroplane impacted a field sustaining substantial damage to the fuselage.
The pilot reported that there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.