# NTSB ATL83FIG07: Bellanca 8GCBC, N90916, Berlin, MD, September 10, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: September 10, 1983, 11:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Berlin, MD
- Coordinates: 38.349739, -75.130157 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3497&lon=-75.1302&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5963
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83FIG07
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5963/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83FIG07

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - proper altitude - below, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft performance,climb capability - deteriorated (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED INTO TREES AFTER THE ACFTS LANDING GEAR BECAME ENTANGLED IN THE BANNERS TOW BRIDLE DURING AN ATTEMPTED BANNER PICK-UP. ACCORDING TO ONE WITNESS WHO WAS A MEMBER OF THE BANNER CREW ON THE FIELD, THE ACFT CAME IN TOO LOW AND CAUGHT THE LEFT LANDING GEAR IN THE BRIDLE. THE PILOT BEGAN TRYING TO SHAKE THE BRIDLE OFF THE WHEEL. THE ACFT CLEARED THE POWER LINES AND DIPPED ITS LEFT WING. THIS RELEASED THE BANNER BUT THE RIGHT WING DIPPED AND THE PLANE DISAPPEARED IN THE TREES. ANOTHER WITNESS, A PLT IN ANOTHER BANNER TOW ACFT AT 400 FT AGL SAID THE WINGS BANKED LEFT AND RIGHT TWICEBEFORE THE ACFT SPUN TO THE RIGHT INTO THE TREES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N90916](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N90916-2012-11-19), registration cancelled 2012-11-19, S/N 421-73, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 8GCBC
- Registry model: [Bellanca 7GCBC](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-7gcbc) (registry code 1220601) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 421-73
- Airframe hours: 1800
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Ocean Aerial Ads
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 14, 1983, 200 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,500 total, 900 in this make and model, 900 as pilot in command, 190 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SBY, 13 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19830910047859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830910047859A), Sep 10, 1983: Bbavia 8GCBC, Berlin, MD, Destroyed. Too low on banner pickup. A wheel caught the bridle. Aircraft stalled into trees after pilot shook off the banner.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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