Amateur-built B-8M accident near Cowpens, South Carolina, November 10, 1993
On November 10, 1993 at about 9:53 pm local time, a amateur-built B-8M (gyroplane), registered N10343, was substantially damaged in an accident near Cowpens, South Carolina (Private airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
FUEL STARVATION WHICH RESULTED FROM UNPORTED FUEL IN THE FUEL TANK DUE TO INADEQUATE DESIGN OF THE TANKS.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 10, 1993 · about 9:53 pm local time
- Place
- Cowpens, South Carolina · Private · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built B-8M
- Registration
- N10343 · no longer on the register · serial BCB-232
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
ON FINAL APPROACH, THE GYROPLANE LOST POWER AND THE PILOT FORCE LANDED THE AIRCRAFT IN TREES SHORT OF THE LANDING AREA. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL FAILURE. FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE TANK AND FUEL SYSTEM AFTER THE ACCIDENT. THE OWNER OF THE AIRCRAFT STATED THAT THE TANKS WERE SUSCEPTIBLE TO FUEL SLOSHING AND THAT THIS MAY CAUSE FUEL STARVATION.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 1,209 hours in all; 1,135 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 500 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Mcculloch O-100-1 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 5, 1,900 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 129° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 52°F (11°C), dew point 36°F (2°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 9:50 pm from GSP, 20 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.