# NTSB IAD03CA060: Bellanca 7GCBC, N4133Y, Atlantic City, NJ, June 28, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 28, 2003, 18:20 local (22:20 UTC) - Place: Atlantic City, NJ - Coordinates: 39.36, -74.459999 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3600&lon=-74.4600&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 30, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Philadelphia FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 57324 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD03CA060 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57324/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD03CA060 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to properly secure an aerial advertising banner to the outside of the airplane. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - towing/advertising/external load equipment - not secured (cause) - installation - improper, pilot in command (cause) - Loss of control - in flight, cruise - aircraft control - not possible - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - swampy ## Analysis According to the pilot, a rolled up, 20- by 60-foot billboard banner that he had tied with ropes to the outside of the airplane, came loose in flight and inflated. The airplane was then unable to maintain altitude, even with full power, and stalled just prior to touchdown in a marsh. ## Factual narrative On June 29, 2003, about 1820 eastern daylight time, a Bellanca 7GCBC, N4133Y, was substantially damaged during a forced landing to a marsh about 2 miles north of Atlantic City Municipal Airport/Bader Field (AIY), Atlantic City, New Jersey. The certificated commercial pilot sustained minor injuries. No flight plan was filed for the flight that originated at Monmouth Executive Airport (BLM), Farmingdale, New Jersey, about 1800. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the positioning flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In a written statement, the pilot said that cause of the accident was "fairly evident." A rolled up, 20- by 60-foot billboard banner that he had tied with ropes to the outside of the airplane had come loose in flight and inflated. That created a large parachute effect, and the airplane was unable to maintain altitude, even with full power. The airplane stalled prior to landing in the marsh. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the fuselage and both wings were substantially damaged. The pilot reported a total of 897 flight hours, of which, 68 were in make and model. The pilot also reported that there were no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane or engine. Weather reported at Atlantic City International Airport (ACY), Atlantic City, New Jersey, about 6 miles northwest, at 1554, was wind from 110 degrees at 6 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, and clear skies. The temperature was 79 degrees F, and the dewpoint was 61 degrees F, with a barometric pressure setting of 30.10 inches HG. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4133Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4133Y-2017-06-20), registration cancelled 2017-06-20, S/N 952-76, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bellanca 7GCBC - Registry model: [Bellanca 7GCBC](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-7gcbc) (registry code 1220601) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 952-76 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Registered owner: United Aerial Advertising of Delaware - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: AIY, Atlantic City M, NJ - Destination: BLM, Farmingdale, NJ ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; flight hours: 897 total, 68 in this make and model, 23 in the last 90 days, 23 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg - Observed at: ACY ## 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 20030628017529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030628017529A), Jun 28, 2003: Bbavia 7GCBC, Atlantic City, NJ, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot was transporting an aerial banner on the outside of the aircraft. During cruise flight, the banner came untied and filled with air and wrapped… ## Other investigations on N4133Y (1) 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 SEA81DYA08](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA81DYA08), Jan 8, 1981: Bellanca 7GCBC (N4133Y), Hailey, ID, substantial damage 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.