# NTSB MIA94LA062: Bellanca 7GCBC, N57436, New Smyrna  Bch, FL, January 29, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 29, 1994, 14:02 local (19:02 UTC)
- Place: New Smyrna  Bch, FL
- Coordinates: 29.019878, -80.91983 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.0199&lon=-80.9198&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report November 18, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37486
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA94LA062
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37486/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA94LA062

## Probable cause

The pilot-in-command's failure to maintain airspeed (VSO) while maneuvering, resulting in an in-flight loss of control (inadvertent stall) and subsequent in-flight collision with terrain.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - airspeed(vso) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

The commercial pilot was observed by witnessess attempting a banner pickup. The airplane flew through the pickup poles too low, the pickup hook missed the pickup bridle, and the bridle wrapped around the tailwheel. The airplane pitched up about 40 degrees, an increase in engine power was heard just before the airplane stalled, rolled left, and collided with the terrain.

## Factual narrative

On January 29, 1994, about 1402 eastern standard time, a Bellanca 7GCBC, N57436, registered to David M. Upson, leased to Air Repair, New Smyrna Beach, Florida, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 banner tow flight, crashed in the vicinity of New Smyrna Beach, Florida. The airplane was destroyed. The commercial pilot sustained a serious injury. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from the New Smyrna Beach Municipal Airport about 2 minutes before the accident.

Witnesses stated they observed the airplane attempt a banner pickup. The airplane flew through the pickup poles too low, the pickup hook missed the banner pickup bridle, and the bridle wrapped around the tailwheel. The airplane pitched up about 40 degrees, a power application was heard just before the airplane stalled, rolled left, and collided with the terrain.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N57436 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 7GCBC
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 504-73
- Airframe hours: 1490
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Air  Repair
- Registered owner: Air  Repair
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic
- Last inspection: Annual, August 30, 1993, 9 hours before
- Departed: 34J
- Airport: 34J, New Smyrna Beach Muni

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 1,650 total, 4 in this make and model, 40 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 65 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,600 ft overcast
- Temperature: 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DAB, 6 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 19940129001159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940129001159A), Jan 29, 1994: Bbavia 7GCBC, New Smyrna Beac, FL, Destroyed. Flew through banner pick up poles too low. Hook missed. Bridle caught on tailwheel. Pitched up and stalled.

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.