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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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July 12, 1993 · Bellanca 8GCBC · N88189

Berlin, MD

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 12, 1993
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Berlin, MD
Aircraft
Bellanca 8GCBC
Tail Number
N88189
Operator
Ocean Aerial Ads
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
BFO93FA119

THE PILOT TOOK OFF ON A LOCAL BANNER TOW FLIGHT. AFTER TAKEOFF, HE DEPLOYED THE BANNER PICKUP HOOK AND MANEUVERED THE AIRPLANE FOR A BANNER PICKUP. ACCORDING TO A WITNESS (WHO WAS ALSO A TOW PILOT), THE AIRPLANE WAS SLOWER THAN NORMAL AT THE PICKUP POINT, AND THE BANNER HOOK MISSED THE TOW CABLE. THE WITNESS STATED THAT THE PILOT MADE A STEEPER THAN NORMAL PULLUP, THEN THE AIRPLANE BEGAN A STALL/SPIN. THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED IN A SOY BEAN FIELD BESIDE THE RUNWAY AND BURNED. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND, BUT THE AIRPLANE WAS EXTENSIVELY DAMAGED BY IMPACT AND FIRE.

NTSB Probable Cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED DURING PULLUP FROM AN ATTEMPTED BANNER PICKUP, WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL.

Full Narrative

THE PILOT TOOK OFF ON A LOCAL BANNER TOW FLIGHT. AFTER TAKEOFF, HE DEPLOYED THE BANNER PICKUP HOOK AND MANEUVERED THE AIRPLANE FOR A BANNER PICKUP. ACCORDING TO A WITNESS (WHO WAS ALSO A TOW PILOT), THE AIRPLANE WAS SLOWER THAN NORMAL AT THE PICKUP POINT, AND THE BANNER HOOK MISSED THE TOW CABLE. THE WITNESS STATED THAT THE PILOT MADE A STEEPER THAN NORMAL PULLUP, THEN THE AIRPLANE BEGAN A STALL/SPIN. THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED IN A SOY BEAN FIELD BESIDE THE RUNWAY AND BURNED. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND, BUT THE AIRPLANE WAS EXTENSIVELY DAMAGED BY IMPACT AND FIRE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:40 EDT
Nearest AirportBunting Airfield (0nm N)
Runway33
Runway Length3000 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd

Aircraft

AircraftBellanca 8GCBC
Tail NumberN88189
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorOcean Aerial Ads
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-C2E · Reciprocating · 180
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 35 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind350° @ 12 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time18:55
Weather SourceWFAC

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Appendix: Source Data