# NTSB MKC90LA027: Bellanca 7GCBC, N4115Y, Springdale, AR, November 11, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 11, 1989, 16:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Springdale, AR
- Coordinates: 36.179031, -94.140884 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1790&lon=-94.1409&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 24, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34909
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC90LA027
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34909/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC90LA027

## Probable cause

THE BANNER TOW PICK UP EQUIPMENT BECAME ENTANGLED RESULTING IN A JAMMED RUDDER AND RESTRICTED AIRCRAFT CONTROL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - pickup equipment - entangled (cause)
  - flt control syst,rudder - jammed (cause)
  - aircraft control - restricted, pilot in command (cause)
  - emergency procedure - attempted, pilot in command
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PICK UP AN AERIAL TOWED BANNER, THE PICK-UP HOOK FOULED THE ACFT'S RUDDER CAUSING A HARD LEFT RUDDER FLYING CONFIGURATION. UNABLE TO FREE THE BANNER, AND LOSING ALTITUDE, THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A LANDING ON A FARM FIELD. AFTER TOUCH DOWN, THE BANNER BROKE FREE OF THE ACFT, AND SHORTLY AFTER, THE ACFT STRUCK A DRAINAGE DITCH AND OVERTURNED. NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OF THE PICK-UP MECHANISM WAS DISCOVERED ON POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4115Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4115Y), registered now, S/N 948-76 (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: 948-76
- Airframe hours: 1968
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Aerial Ads Inc.
- Registered owner: Aerial Ads Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic
- Last inspection: Annual, September 8, 1989, 48 hours before
- Airport: ASG, Springdale, runway 18, 5,302 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 5,100 total, 85 in this make and model, 3,800 as pilot in command, 119 in the last 90 days, 53 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FYV, 10 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 19891111046789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891111046789A), Nov 11, 1989: Bbavia 7GCBC, Springdale, AR, Substantial damage. During banner pickup the tow mechanism fouled the rudder to left full rudder. Unable drop banner, crash landed

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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