# NTSB NYC04LA181: Bellanca 7KCAB, N53748, Farmingdale, NJ, July 31, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 31, 2004, 10:15 local (14:15 UTC) - Place: Farmingdale, NJ - Coordinates: 40.186668, -74.124725 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1867&lon=-74.1247&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 13, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Teterboro FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 59825 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC04LA181 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59825/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC04LA181 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in a stall and collision with wires. ## 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 - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - object - wire,static ## Analysis The pilot took off, climbed out normally and then proceeded with a banner pick-up. A witness reported that the pilot did not add full power until about 15 feet prior to the banner pick-up poles. The airplane picked up the banner, then immediately pitched up steeply. The wings began to rock back and forth and the airplane began to descend with the banner connected. The pilot released the banner; however, the airplane descended into wires and impacted a hangar. According to the operator, the normal banner pick-up procedure with regards to engine power was to add full throttle about 100 to 125 feet prior to the banner pick-up poles. Examination of the airplane did not revealed any mechanical malfunctions. ## Factual narrative On July 31, 2004, about 1015 eastern daylight time, a Bellanca 7KCAB, N53748, was substantially damaged while maneuvering at the Monmouth Executive Airport, Farmingdale, New Jersey. The certificated commercial pilot sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the commercial banner tow flight that was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot reported that he was conducting his first banner pick up of the day. After contacting the banner, he began to climb; however, at 200 feet above the ground, he encountered a wind gust. The airplane began to lose altitude and airspeed, and the pilot noticed that the engine rpm was at 2,200. The pilot released the banner and attempted to climb; however, wind shear pushed the airplane down, and into power lines. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, witnesses observed the airplane in a steep nose-up attitude. After the banner was released, the airplane rolled to the left, struck power lines and then impacted a hanger. According to the owner of the banner tow company, the pilot took off, climbed out normally and then proceed with the banner pick up. The pilot did not add full power until about 15 feet prior to the banner pick-up poles. The airplane picked up the banner, then immediately pitched up steeply. The wings began to rock back and forth and the airplane began to descend with the banner connected. He radioed the pilot to release the banner. The banner was released; however, the airplane "stalled" into wires and impacted a hanger. He further stated that the normal banner pick up procedure with regards to engine power was to add full throttle about 100 to 125 feet prior to the banner pick-up poles. Examination of the airplane by an FAA inspector did not revealed any mechanical malfunctions. The banner poles were aligned with runway 14. Winds reported at the airport, about the time of the accident, were from 210 degrees at 6 knots. The pilot reported 362 hours of total flight experience, which included 63 hours in the same make and model as the accident airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N53748](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N53748-2013-08-07), registration cancelled 2013-08-07, S/N 538-75, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bellanca 7KCAB - Registry model: [Bellanca 7KCAB](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-7kcab) (registry code 1220701) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-320-series) (registry code 41509, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 538-75 - Airframe hours: 2185 - Engines: Lycoming IO-320-E2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Registered owner: United Aerial Advertising of Delaware, Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2004 - Departed: BLM, Farmingdale, NJ - Destination: BLM - Airport: BLM, Monmouth Executive, runway 14, 7,300 × 80 ft ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 26; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review July 8, 2003; seat: front; flight hours: 362 total, 63 in this make and model, 252 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,400 ft broken - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: BLM ## 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 20040731022369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040731022369A), Jul 31, 2004: Bbavia 7KCAB, Belmar/Farmingd, NJ, Destroyed. (-23) On 07-31-2004 Mr. Davis acted as the pilot in command of a Bellanca 7KCAB aircraft N53748. The aircraft was operated by united aerial advertising and is… 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.