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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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November 10, 1985 · Champion 7GCAA · N5249X

Colts Neck, NJ

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 10, 1985
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Colts Neck, NJ
Aircraft
Champion 7GCAA
Tail Number
N5249X
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC86LA033

THE ACFT WAS BEING USED TO FLY AN ADVERTISING BANNER FOR THE JERSEY SHORE MARATHON. THE FLT TOOK OFF IN A WESTERLY DIRECTION, FOLLOWING THE TRAFFIC PATTERN, CLIMBING TO APRX 1500 FT. A PULLUP MANEUVER WAS MADE TO SIMULATE A BANNER PICKUP. THE PLT CHECKED FOR ARPT TRAFFIC, DESCENDED TO ABOUT 800 FT AND AT THE SAME TIME NOTICED THE WIND GUSTING, ALTHOUGH THE WINDSOCK INDICATED VERY LITTLE WIND. THE BANNER WAS PICKED UP AND AT ABOUT 150 FT, THE LEFT WING AND NOSE DROPPED. THE PLT COULD NOT CORRECT. THE ACFT DESCENDED RAPIDLY INTO TREES, SPUN AROUND AND CAME TO REST. THE PLT EVACUATED THE ACFT BEFORE FIRE ERUPTED.

Full Narrative

THE ACFT WAS BEING USED TO FLY AN ADVERTISING BANNER FOR THE JERSEY SHORE MARATHON. THE FLT TOOK OFF IN A WESTERLY DIRECTION, FOLLOWING THE TRAFFIC PATTERN, CLIMBING TO APRX 1500 FT. A PULLUP MANEUVER WAS MADE TO SIMULATE A BANNER PICKUP. THE PLT CHECKED FOR ARPT TRAFFIC, DESCENDED TO ABOUT 800 FT AND AT THE SAME TIME NOTICED THE WIND GUSTING, ALTHOUGH THE WINDSOCK INDICATED VERY LITTLE WIND. THE BANNER WAS PICKED UP AND AT ABOUT 150 FT, THE LEFT WING AND NOSE DROPPED. THE PLT COULD NOT CORRECT. THE ACFT DESCENDED RAPIDLY INTO TREES, SPUN AROUND AND CAME TO REST. THE PLT EVACUATED THE ACFT BEFORE FIRE ERUPTED.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:30 EST
Nearest AirportColts Neck (0nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftChampion 7GCAA
Tail NumberN5249X
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-A2B · Reciprocating · 150
Seats3

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 38 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind60° @ 8 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data