# NTSB BFO88LA070: Cessna 150K, N5682G, Selbyville, DE, August 1, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 1, 1988, 11:45 local (15:45 UTC)
- Place: Selbyville, DE
- Coordinates: 38.469375, -75.169815 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4694&lon=-75.1698&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 9, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11427
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO88LA070
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11427/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO88LA070

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - pull-up - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - load jettison - performed
  - stall/mush (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS IN THE PROCESS OF PICKING UP A BANNER WHEN THE AIRCRAFT STALLED AND CRASHED INTO A WOODED AREA. THE BANNER WAS PICKED UP AT AN AIRSPEED OF 80 MPH AND THE ACFT ALTITUDE WAS INCREASED TO 250 FT AGL. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE WINGS OF THE ACFT ROCKED BACK AND FORTH AND THE ACFT BECAME UNSTABLE. THE TOW BANNER WAS THEN RELEASED, THE ACFT STALLED AND DESCENDED INTO A WOODED AREA IN A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5682G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5682G-1994-11-04), registration cancelled 1994-11-04, S/N 15071182 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150K
- Registry model: [Cessna 150K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150k) (registry code 2071822) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15071182
- Airframe hours: 4044
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Atlantic Costal Aerial Ads, doing business as Sky Banners
- Registered owner: Thomas Calvanelli
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, February 27, 1988, 125 hours before
- Departed: 0N7, SELBYVILLE, DE
- Airport: ON7, Warrington, runway 32, 2,250 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,424 total, 473 in this make and model, 1,309 as pilot in command, 231 in the last 90 days, 107 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SBY, 16 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 19880801033639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880801033639A), Aug 1, 1988: Cessna 150K, Selbyville, DE, Substantial damage. Stalled on climb-out after picking up a banner. Dropped banner but unable to regain control. Crashed into trees.

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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