# NTSB ERA11LA437: Bellanca 8GCBC, N87020, Egg Harbor Township, NJ, August 2, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 2, 2011, 15:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Egg Harbor Township, NJ - Coordinates: 39.386943, -74.623886 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3869&lon=-74.6239&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report November 26, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 81367 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11LA437 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81367/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81367 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11LA437 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering near the ground, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bellanca 8GCBC, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=1220803), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Bellanca 8GCBC, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=1220803), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Bellanca 8GCBC, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=1220803), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Bellanca 8GCBC, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1220803), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis After the airplane’s fourth unsuccessful attempt to pick up a banner, a witness reported that the airplane was flying about 100 feet above ground level and the wings were "wobbling." The airplane then descended, and spun before it impacted the ground. The pilot stated that he did not have any recollection of the accident or the events prior to the accident. No preimpact anomalies were noted with the airframe or engine during a postaccident examination. ## Factual narrative On August 2, 2011, at 1500, eastern daylight time, a Bellanca 8GCBC, N87020, registered to an individual and operated by Heads Up Advertising, incurred substantial damage when it impacted terrain in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey. The pilot was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a company flight plan was filed for the Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, banner towing flight. The flight originated from Woodbine Municipal Airport (OBI), Woodbine, New Jersey, about 1450. The responding Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector stated that the pilot fueled the airplane prior to flying towards the banner pick up area. The pilot attempted 3 banner pickups prior to the accident. He maneuvered the airplane for the fourth attempt but failed to pick up the banner. The banner ground handler looked away and started to prepare the banner for another attempt, when moments later he heard a loud impact noise and observed the airplane had crashed into the ground about half mile away from the pickup area, on the crosswind for the banner tow pattern. According to a witness, the airplane was observed flying approximately 100 feet above ground level. She noted that the wings were "wobbling" and the airplane was not climbing although it was in a nose up attitude. Next, she saw the airplane begin to "nosedive" and start spinning but was unable to see the airplane impact the ground. The pilot stated that he did not have any recollection of the accident or the events prior to the accident. The airplane was manufactured in 1974 and was equipped with a Lycoming O-360 series, 180-horsepower engine. The airplane's most recent annual inspection was completed on February 3, 2011. At the time of the inspection, the reported aircraft time was 6698.0 total hours and the recorded tachometer was 2090.15 hours. The tachometer located in the wreckage 2236.91 hours. The pilot, age 20, held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land and instrument airplane. His most recent Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) second-class medical certificate was issued in May 2011. He reported 600 total hours of flight experience, of which, 65 hours were in the accident airplane make and model. A post accident examination of the wreckage by the FAA revealed that control continuity was verified to all flight control surfaces. Fuel samples were taken from each wing with no water or contaminants noted. Examination of the engine was performed and the top and bottom sparkplugs were removed and no issues were noted. The crankshaft was rotated by the propeller flange and compression was observed on all cylinders. In addition, spark was obtained from the spark plug leads during the rotation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N87020](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N87020-2017-10-06), registration cancelled 2017-10-06, S/N 52-74, built 1974 (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: 52-74 - Airframe hours: 6845 - Engines: LYCOMING O&VO-360 SER 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Banner tow, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 3, 2011, 146 hours before - Departed: OBI, Woodbine, NJ - Destination: Egg Harbor Township, NJ - Flight plan: Company VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 20; injuries: serious; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 12, 2010; seat: front; flight hours: 600 total, 65 in this make and model, 65 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 5 knots, gusting 14 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.73 inHg - Observed at: KACY, 9 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 20110802017849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110802017849A), Aug 2, 2011: Bellanca 8GCBC, Linwood, NJ, Destroyed. On 8/2/2011 at approximately 3:00PM, a Bellanca 8GCBC, N87020, s/n 52-74, during banner tow operations, failed to pick-up a banner and subsequently impacted… ## Other investigations on N87020 (3) 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. - [NTSB ERA11CA358](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA358), Jun 20, 2011: Bellanca 8GCBC (N87020), Linwood, NJ, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper brake application during the landing roll which resulted in a nose over. - [NTSB CHI92LA138](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA138), Apr 29, 1992: Bellanca 8GCBC (N87020), Sioux Falls, SD, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. - [NTSB LAX86LA358](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA358), Oct 1, 1986: Bellanca 8GCBC (N87020), Chino, CA, substantial damage ## Docket (10 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 7, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81367. 6.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 904 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40369121&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Statements (item 2, .PDF, 249 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40369138&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statements-Redacted.PDF - Witness Statements (item 3, .PDF, 136 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40369127&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements-Redacted.PDF - FAA Statement (item 4, .PDF, 180 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40369126&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Fuel Farm Inspection (item 5, .PDF, 102 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40369128&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Fuel%20Farm%20Inspection-Redacted.PDF - Excerpt from Aircraft Maintenance Log (item 6, .PDF, 639 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40369168&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Excerpt%20from%20Aircraft%20Maintenance%20Log-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 7, .PDF, 365 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40369266&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Photo 1; Airplane where it came to rest (courtesy of the FAA) (item 8, .PDF, 2.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40369114&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201;%20Airplane%20where%20it%20came%20to%20rest%20(courtesy%20of%20the%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 2; View of left side of wreckage (Courtesy of the FAA) (item 9, .PDF, 723 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40369116&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202;%20View%20of%20left%20side%20of%20wreckage%20(Courtesy%20of%20the%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 3; Airplane engine (Courtesy of the FAA) (item 10, .PDF, 788 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40369117&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203;%20Airplane%20engine%20(Courtesy%20of%20the%20FAA)-Master.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.