# NTSB NYC06CA218: Bellanca 7GCAA, N5501A, Farmingdale, NC, September 4, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 4, 2006, 10:45 local (14:45 UTC) - Place: Farmingdale, NC - Coordinates: 35.630935, -79.805557 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6309&lon=-79.8056&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 28, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Teterboro, NJ - NTSB case key (mKey): 64481 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC06CA218 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64481/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC06CA218 ## Probable cause An inadequate annual inspection of the airplane, which resulted in a total failure of the elevator cable during flight, and subsequent uncontrolled descent into terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering - flt control syst,elevator control cable/rod - failure,total - maintenance,annual inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause) - Forced landing, descent - uncontrolled - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis During a banner pick-up, about 400 feet agl, the elevator cable separated. The airplane then pitched down and impacted a field. Examination of the airplane revealed rust and corrosion on an approximate 2-foot section of the failed elevator cable. The rust and corrosion were consistent with exposure to moisture over a period of time. Review of aircraft maintenance records revealed that the last annual inspection was completed about 10 months prior to the accident. The airplane had accumulated about 5,172 total hours of operation at the last annual inspection, and about 120 hours of operation since the inspection. The maintenance records noted that the cables were lubricated, but there was no record of rust or corrosion being detected. ## Factual narrative The pilot was conducting banner-tow operations in a 1978 Bellanca 7GCAA. During a banner pick-up, about 400 feet agl, the pilot heard a "snap." At that time, both control sticks lost elevator control, and the airplane initially pitched nose up. The airplane then pitched about 20 degrees nose down. The pilot attempted to correct the descent with elevator trim and engine power, but the airplane impacted a field. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the elevator cable had separated. Further examination revealed rust and corrosion on an approximate 2-foot section of the failed elevator cable. The rust and corrosion was consistent with exposure to moisture over a period of time. Review of aircraft maintenance records revealed that the last annual inspection was completed on November 13, 2005, about 10 months prior to the accident. The airplane had accumulated about 5,172 total hours of operation at the last annual inspection, and about 120 hours of operation since the inspection. The maintenance records noted that the cables were lubricated, but there was no record of rust and corrosion being detected. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5501A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5501A), registered now, S/N 360-78, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bellanca 7GCAA - Registry model: [Bellanca 7GCAA](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-7gcaa) (registry code 1220501) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 360-78 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Banner tow, Part 91 - Operator: Obrien Aviation - Registered owner: Aimada Aircraft Sales Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: BLM, Farmingdale, NC - Airport: BLM, Monmouth Executive Airport, runway 32, 7,300 × 10 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 21; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1; flight hours: 330 total, 50 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 10 knots, gusting 14 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 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 20060904022589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060904022589A), Sep 4, 2006: Bbavia 7GCAA, Belmar/Farmingd, NJ, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot stated that he took off from runway 32R and flew a right traffic pattern to pick up a banner. After capturing the banner he applied aft… 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.