# NTSB BFO93FA119: Bellanca 8GCBC, N88189, Berlin, MD, July 12, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 12, 1993, 15:40 local (19:40 UTC)
- Place: Berlin, MD
- Coordinates: 38.3204, -75.210922 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3204&lon=-75.2109&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 10, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11875
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO93FA119
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11875/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO93FA119

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED DURING PULLUP FROM AN ATTEMPTED BANNER PICKUP, WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command
  - pull-up - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT TOOK OFF ON A LOCAL BANNER TOW FLIGHT.  AFTER TAKEOFF, HE DEPLOYED THE BANNER PICKUP HOOK AND MANEUVERED THE AIRPLANE FOR A BANNER PICKUP.  ACCORDING TO A WITNESS (WHO WAS ALSO A TOW PILOT), THE AIRPLANE WAS SLOWER THAN NORMAL AT THE PICKUP POINT, AND THE BANNER HOOK MISSED THE TOW CABLE.  THE WITNESS STATED THAT THE PILOT MADE A STEEPER THAN NORMAL PULLUP, THEN THE AIRPLANE BEGAN A STALL/SPIN.  THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED IN A SOY BEAN FIELD BESIDE THE RUNWAY AND BURNED.  NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND, BUT THE AIRPLANE WAS EXTENSIVELY DAMAGED BY IMPACT AND FIRE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N88189](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N88189), registered now, S/N 89-74 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 8GCBC
- Registry model: [Bellanca 8GCBC](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-8gcbc) (registry code 1220803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 89-74
- Airframe hours: 2796
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-C2E 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Ocean Aerial Ads, Inc
- Registered owner: Ocean Aerial Ads, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 2, 1993, 43 hours before
- Airport: Bunting Airfield, runway 33, 3,000 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 72 °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 19930712023099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930712023099A), Jul 12, 1993: Bbavia 8GCBC, Berlin, MD, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Missed banner pickup. Overrotated on snap to snag hook. Stall spin to impact occurred. Burned.

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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