NTSB CAROL · Event
Event SEA83LA158
Aircraft involved
Factual narrative
REPORTEDLY, THE PLT HAD RECEIVED 7 HRS OF DUAL INSTRUCTION IN THE BENSON GYROCOPTER. HE HAD BEEN OBSERVED TAXIING THE ACFT ON AN UNUSED PORTION OF THE ARPT DURING THE WINTER MONTHS OF 1982 & 1983. HOWEVER, NO FLTS WERE OBSERVED & THE STUDENT PLT HAD NO ENDORSEMENT. ON 7/30/83, THE ACFT CRASHED APRX 1 BLOCK FROM THE ARPT BOUNDRY (PRESUMABLY DURING TAKEOFF). REPORTEDLY, HE HAD A LOSS OF PERCEPTION OF FORWARD SPEED AFTER GAINING ABOUT 100 FT WHICH RESULTED IN A DECAY OF ROTOR RPM. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE GYROCOPT ENTERED A DESCENT & MADE A HARD CONTACT WITH THE GROUND WHILE IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION. NO PREEXISTING MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WERE FOUND DURING AN EXAM OF THE GYROCOPTER. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12
Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file
NTSB_1983_SEA83LA158.txt.
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