Amateur-built BENSEN B8M accident near Maple Plain, Minnesota, June 7, 2015
On June 7, 2015 at about 9:45 pm local time, a 1970 amateur-built BENSEN B8M (gyroplane), registered N2436, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Maple Plain, Minnesota (Maple airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed, resulting in a loss of control, and a collision with terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 7, 2015 · about 9:45 pm local time
- Place
- Maple Plain, Minnesota · Maple · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built BENSEN B8M UNDESIGNAT, built 1970
- Registration
- N2436 · no longer on the register · serial BA42670-1VWM
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
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
What happened, in order
- Loss of lift during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Loss of control in flight during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Not attained/maintained
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Downdraft › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: private, recreational, sport pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: gyroplane
- Flight time: 3,000 hours in all; 1,000 in this make and model; 3 in the last 90 days; 3,000 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: May 6, 2013
- Medical certificate: Sport Pilot (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 120 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 13, 2013
- Maximum gross weight: 540 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Volkswagen 1675 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: MN69 Maple Plain MN at 9:30 pm
- Destination: MN69 Maple Plain MN
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 260° at 7 knots, gusting 14
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 29.67 inHg
- Observation at 9:34 pm from KCFE, 12 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.
Other NTSB records under N2436 the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.