# NTSB NYC07LA147: American Champion 8GCBC, N139SG, Sanford, FL, June 22, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 22, 2007, 12:36 local (16:36 UTC) - Place: Sanford, FL - Coordinates: 28.7775, -81.23722 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.7775&lon=-81.2372&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report August 28, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 66064 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC07LA147 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66064/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC07LA147 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed and his excessive pitch attitude while maneuvering. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - climb - excessive, pilot in command (cause) - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis During a banner-towing flight, witnesses observed the airplane make a low pass, as if picking up a banner; however, the airplane did not pick up the banner. The airplane then climbed at an excessive pitch, until it banked to the left and impacted the ground. Examination of the airplane and engine revealed no preimpact mechanical anomalies. The most recent annual inspection was completed 2 months prior to the accident, with no anomalies noted. The pilot reported approximately 5,900 total hours of flight experience, 21 of which were in the accident airplane. ## Factual narrative On June 22, 2007, at 1236 eastern daylight time, an American Champion 8GCBC, N139SG, was substantially damaged while maneuvering, at Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB), Orlando, Florida. The certificated airline transport pilot was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local banner-towing flight conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. According to a witness, who was also a certificated pilot, the airplane made a low pass from east to west over the airport, "as if attempting to pick up a banner." The witness stated the airplane did not pick up the banner, and subsequently pulled up at a high angle of attack, approximately 60 degrees nose up, and banked "hard" approximately 60 degrees to the left. Another witness reported that the airplane "swooped" down to pick up a banner, but "missed." The airplane then "climbed into the air at an excessive pitch," and rolled to the left before impacting the ground, about 1/2-mile south of runway 9R. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the airplane following the accident. During the examination he confirmed the continuity of the flight controls, and continuity of the banner towing system. Additionally, he noted that there was fuel in the carburetor and the propeller blades displayed evidence of rotation. A replacement propeller was secured to the engine, and it was test run to approximately 2,200 rpm with no anomalies noted. Examination of the airframe and engine logbooks revealed the most recent annual inspection was completed on April 12, 2007, with no anomalies noted. At the time of the inspection, the airplane had accumulated 146 hours of total time, and the annual inspection entry was the last entry in the logbook. The pilot held an airline transport pilot certificate with a rating for multiengine land, and a commercial pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single-engine land. He also held certificates as a certified flight instructor, airframe and powerplant mechanic, and air traffic controller. The pilot's most recent FAA second-class medical certificate was issued on July 5, 2006. At that time he reported 5,900 total hours of flight experience. Examination of the pilot's logbook revealed entries from October 26, 2005 to June 15, 2007. During that time period, the pilot logged 548 hours of total flight experience, 21 of which was in the accident airplane. In the previous 90 days, the pilot logged 50 hours of total flight experience, 18 of which was in the accident airplane. An autopsy was performed on the pilot on June 25, 2007, by the Volusia County Medical Examiner's Office. The autopsy report indicated the cause of death as multiple blunt force injuries. The FAA Toxicology and Accident Research Laboratory, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma conducted toxicological testing on the pilot. The results of the tests were negative for drugs or alcohol. The weather reported at 1247, included: winds from 020 degrees at 8 knots, 10 miles visibility, few clouds at 3,600 feet, scattered clouds at 4,800 feet, temperature 31 degrees Celsius (C), dew point 21 degrees C, and altimeter setting of 29.96 inches of mercury. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N139SG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N139SG-2010-06-07), registration cancelled 2010-06-07, S/N 469-2005, built 2005 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: American Champion (ACAC) 8GCBC - Registry model: [American Champion 8GCBC](https://openairdocs.org/model/american-champion-8gcbc) (registry code 2121004) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-series) (registry code 41575, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 469-2005 - Airframe hours: 146 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Banner tow, Part 91 - Operator: Rosie O'Grady's Aerial Advertising Co. - Registered owner: RP Sales and Leasing Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 2007 - Departed: SFB, Sanford, FL - Airport: SFB, Sanford International Airport, runway 9R, 3,500 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: fatal; commercial, airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 5,900 total, 21 in this make and model, 50 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: SFB ## 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 20070622022319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070622022319A), Jun 22, 2007: Bbavia 8GCBC, Orlando, FL, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. (-23) On June 22, 2007, the pilot [privacy data omitted] was attempting a banner pick up on the south side of Sanford airport. After missing the banner pick… 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.