Amateur-built B-8KSB accident near Eldon, Missouri, May 13, 1989
On May 13, 1989 at about 11:15 pm local time, a amateur-built B-8KSB (gyroplane), registered N37511, was substantially damaged in an accident near Eldon, Missouri. 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
PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL WHICH RESULTED IN COLLISION WITH THE TERRAIN DURING TAKE OFF.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 13, 1989 · about 11:15 pm local time
- Place
- Eldon, Missouri · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built B-8KSB · all B-8KSBs on the register
- Registration
- N37511 · no longer on the register · serial SB001
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT LOST CONTROL OF THE GYROCOPTER DURING THE ATTEMPTED TAKEOFF. THE ROTOR SYSTEM, RUDDER ASSEMBLY, AND PROPELLER MADE CONTACT WITH THE TERRAIN. THE PILOT HELD NO AIRMEN OF MEDICAL CERTIFICATES. FAA RECORDS IN OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA, REFLECT THAT THE GYROCOPTER WAS SOLD IN 1980 WITH NO SUBSEQUENT REGISTRATION.
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
- Flight time: 135 hours in all; 100 in this make and model; 120 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: frt
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 15, 1989; 1 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 500 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Mcculloch 4318E (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Eldon MO at 10:15 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 320° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 25,000 ft; scat at 2,000 ft
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 9:45 pm from JEF, 36 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.