# NTSB MIA87FA186: Bellanca 8GCBC, N7620S, Panama City, FL, June 18, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 18, 1987, 12:58 local (17:58 UTC)
- Place: Panama City, FL
- Coordinates: 30.200969, -85.669868 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2010&lon=-85.6699&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 9, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31765
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA87FA186
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31765/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA87FA186

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - airspeed - not maintained (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PURPOSE OF THE FLT WAS TO CHECK OUT A NEW PLT IN BANNER TOWING OPERATIONS. THE FIRST FLT HAD BEEN COMPLETED, THE BANNER DROPPED & THE SECOND BANNER WAS ENGAGED. WITNESSES SAW THE ACFT MAKE THE STEEP CLIMB AFTER PICK-UP NORMALLY ASSOCIATED WITH BANNER TOWING. THE ACFT WAS SEEN TO SLOW, WOBBLE, & FALL OFF TO THE RIGHT IN A SPIN FROM ABOUT 300 FT. ONE WITNESS STATED THAT THE SPIN WAS STOPPED JUST PRIOR TO IMPACT. A LOOSE 1 GALLON THERMOS TYPE CONTAINER WAS FOUND ON THE FLOOR OF THE REAR COCKPIT. IT WAS NOT POSITIVELY DETERMINED WHETHER OR NOT THE CONTAINER HAD ANY BEARING ON THE ACCIDENT, CREATING AN INTERFERENCE OR DISTRACTION. AN EXAM OF THE ACFT & ENG REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF ANY PREIMPACT MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N7620S (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 8GCBC
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 206-76
- Airframe hours: 1813
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-C2E 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Walker Aviation Services,Inc.
- Registered owner: Henry R. Nelson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 2, 1986, 69 hours before
- Departed: PFN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,962 total, 2,916 in this make and model, 4,707 as pilot in command, 159 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PFN, 1 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 19870618020589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870618020589A), Jun 18, 1987: Bbavia 8GCBC, Panama City, FL, Destroyed, 2 fatal. The banner tow aircraft entered a spin during climb after a pickup. Suspect control stick was jammed by a thermos.

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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