# NTSB MIA92FA008: Bellanca 7GCBC, N4155Y, Key West, FL, October 8, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 8, 1991, 18:25 local (22:25 UTC)
- Place: Key West, FL
- Coordinates: 24.549863, -81.780807 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=24.5499&lon=-81.7808&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32967
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA92FA008
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32967/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA92FA008

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL/SPIN AT AN ALTITUDE THAT WAS TOO LOW FOR RECOVERY.  A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO JETTISON THE BANNER WHEN THE STALL WAS ENCOUNTERED.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - load jettison - not attained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE ENGAGE & PICK UP THE BANNER. THE AIRPLANE WAS THEN OBSERVED AT THE TOP OF ITS PICKUP MANEUVER, AND THE BANNER HAD JUST CLEARED THE GROUND, WHEN THE PLANE BANKED TO THE RIGHT, STALLED, & BEGAN A SPIN. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE AIRPLANE CRASHED IN A POND NEXT TO THE RUNWAY.  WITNESSES STATED THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING UNTIL IMPACT. THE BANNER BRIDLE & SAFETY LINK WERE FOUND STILL ATTACHED TO THE AIRPLANE PICKUP HOOK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4155Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4155Y-1998-08-06), registration cancelled 1998-08-06, S/N 95777 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 7GCBC
- Registry model: [Bellanca 7GCBC](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-7gcbc) (registry code 1220601) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 957-77
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Island Aeroplane Tours
- Registered owner: Kane Furniture Co.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, July 31, 1991
- Airport: EYW, Key West Intl

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 600 total, 20 in this make and model, 30 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: EYW, 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 19911008045429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911008045429A), Oct 8, 1991: Bbavia 7GCBC, Key West, FL, Substantial damage, 2 fatal. Stalled on climb after picking up banner. Fail to release banner and spun into a pond.

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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