# NTSB ATL83LA353: Bellanca 7GCAA, N88223, Dayton, KY, September 4, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 4, 1983, 16:20 local (20:20 UTC)
- Place: Dayton, KY
- Coordinates: 39.109477, -84.459632 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1095&lon=-84.4596&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6191
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83LA353
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6191/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83LA353

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
- Ditching, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

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.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N88223](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N88223), registered now, S/N 301-74, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Bellanca 7GCAA
- Registry model: [Bellanca 7GCAA](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-7gcaa) (registry code 1220501) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 301-74
- Airframe hours: 1888
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Gerald W. West & Gary'S Banner
- Registered owner: Gerald W. West
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 30, 1983, 210 hours before
- Departed: LUK, CINCINNATI, OH
- Airport: LUK, Lunken Field

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 1,660 total, 58 in this make and model, 1,507 as pilot in command, 245 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LUK, 3 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 19830904046989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830904046989A), Sep 4, 1983: Bbavia 7GCAA, Dayton, KY, Substantial damage. Crash occurred during emergency landing after engine quit from fuel exhaustion during banner tow operation.

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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