# NTSB BFO91FA060: Piper J5, N763WM, Berlin, MD, June 29, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 29, 1991, 12:10 local (16:10 UTC)
- Place: Berlin, MD
- Coordinates: 38.350067, -75.129425 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3501&lon=-75.1294&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/800) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11627
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO91FA060
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11627/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO91FA060

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQATE AIRSPEED WHICH CAUSED THE AIRPLANE TO STALL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, other
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - encountered, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WAS ON A BANNER TOWING FLIGHT WHEN IT CRASHED DURING A BANNER PICKUP ATTEMPT.  WITNESSES REPORTED THE PILOT TOOKOFF FROM THE AIRFIELD, CIRCLED THE FIELD AND THEN DESCENDED TOWARD THE BANNER STAGING AREA WHICH WAS AT ABOUT MIDFIELD.  ACCORDING TO A WITNESS, THE BANNER WAS PICKED UP AND THE AIRPLANE CLIMBED.  IT APPEARED THE AIRPLANE WOULD NOT OUTCLIMB A WOODED AREA AT THE END OF THE AIRFIELD.  THE BANNER DROPPED FROM THE AIRPLANE AND SOON AFTERWARDS THE AIRPLANE DESCENDED IN A SPIN TO THE GROUND.  THE EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE DID NOT DISCLOSE EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL FAILURE NOR EVIDENCE OF BANNER ENTANGLEMENT WITH THE RUDDER OR ELEVATOR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N763WM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N763WM-1993-04-12), registration cancelled 1993-04-12, S/N 568 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J5
- Registry model: [Piper J5A](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j5a) (registry code 7100702) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: UNKNOWN UNKNOWN reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Operator: Ocena Aerial Ads, Inc.
- Registered owner: Ocean Aerial Ads, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 2000
- Airport: Private

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 800 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SBY, 999 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 19910629025079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910629025079A), Jun 29, 1991: Piper STCJ5, Berlin, MD, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Tow rope fouled rudder on pickup. Dropped banner but stalled and spun in. Failed to watch airspeed.

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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