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NTSB Report
September 4, 1983 · Bellanca 7GCAA · N88223
Dayton, KY
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 4, 1983
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Dayton, KY
Aircraft
Bellanca 7GCAA
Tail Number
N88223
Operator
Gerald W West & Gary S Banner
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL83LA353
THE ACFT WAS MODIFIED TO TOW BANNERS & WAS BEING USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. AFTER THE ACFT HAD BEEN FLOWN ABOUT 3 HRS & 20 MIN, THE PLT TOOK OFF ON HIS 4TH BANNER TOW FLT. HE STATED THAT HE HAD USED THE FUEL GAGES TO ESTIMATE THE AMOUNT OF FUEL REMAINING. THE ESTIMATED THAT 5 OR MORE GAL OF FUEL WAS ON BOARD PRIOR TO HIS LAST TAKEOFF. HE FLEW TO A STADIUM WHERE HE MADE 6 TO 8 TURNS. HE HAD JUST STARTED BACK TO THE ARPT WHEN THE ENG LOST POWER. FOLLOWING THE LOSS OF POWER, HE REPORTEDLY USED AN AIRSPEED OF 60 MPH. THE OWNER'S MANUAL RECOMMENDED A MINIMUM SPEED OF 65 MPH FOR ATTEMPTING A RESTART. SUBSEQUENTLY, HE RELEASED THE BANNER JUST PRIOR TO DITCHING IN A RIVER. THE ACFT WAS TOWED TO THE RIVER BANK BY A BOAT & WAS RECOVERED LATER. APRX 2 GAL OF FUEL WAS FOUND REMAINING IN THE FUEL TANKS. NO PREIMPACT/MECHANICL FAILURES WERE FOUND.
Full Narrative
THE ACFT WAS MODIFIED TO TOW BANNERS & WAS BEING USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. AFTER THE ACFT HAD BEEN FLOWN ABOUT 3 HRS & 20 MIN, THE PLT TOOK OFF ON HIS 4TH BANNER TOW FLT. HE STATED THAT HE HAD USED THE FUEL GAGES TO ESTIMATE THE AMOUNT OF FUEL REMAINING. THE ESTIMATED THAT 5 OR MORE GAL OF FUEL WAS ON BOARD PRIOR TO HIS LAST TAKEOFF. HE FLEW TO A STADIUM WHERE HE MADE 6 TO 8 TURNS. HE HAD JUST STARTED BACK TO THE ARPT WHEN THE ENG LOST POWER. FOLLOWING THE LOSS OF POWER, HE REPORTEDLY USED AN AIRSPEED OF 60 MPH. THE OWNER'S MANUAL RECOMMENDED A MINIMUM SPEED OF 65 MPH FOR ATTEMPTING A RESTART. SUBSEQUENTLY, HE RELEASED THE BANNER JUST PRIOR TO DITCHING IN A RIVER. THE ACFT WAS TOWED TO THE RIVER BANK BY A BOAT & WAS RECOVERED LATER. APRX 2 GAL OF FUEL WAS FOUND REMAINING IN THE FUEL TANKS. NO PREIMPACT/MECHANICL FAILURES WERE FOUND.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:20 EDT
Nearest AirportLunken Field (3nm W)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBellanca 7GCAA
Tail NumberN88223
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorGerald W West & Gary S Banner
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-A2D · Reciprocating · 150
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 24 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind160° @ 10 kt
Visibility12 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 5000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point68 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time20:20
Weather SourceWIT