# NTSB NYC85FA162: Bellanca 7GCBC, N1880G, Cape May, NJ, July 4, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 4, 1985, 12:29 local (16:29 UTC)
- Place: Cape May, NJ
- Location: 39.0084° N, 74.9085° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at CAPE MAY COUNTY (WWD), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0084&lon=-74.9085&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 uninjured; on the ground: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35570
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC85FA162
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35570/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85FA162

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, maneuvering
  - towing/advertising/external load equipment - other (cause)
  - proper assistance - misjudged, ground personnel (cause)
  - diverted attention, ground personnel (contributing factor)
  - insuff standards/requirements,operation/operator, company/operator mgmt
  - lack of total experience in type operation, ground personnel (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE TOW PLANE CAME IN FOR A BANNER PICKUP. THE GROUND HANDLER HOLDING THE TAIL OF THE DOUBLE BANNER HAD HIS LEFT FOOT CAUGHT BY THE BANNER AS IT WENT AIRBORNE. THE GROUND HANDLER WAS CARRIED 50 TO 100 FT IN THE AIR PRIOR TO FALLING TO THE GROUND. THE GROUND HANDLER WAS FATALLY INJURED. THE AIRCRAFT WAS NOT DAMAGED AND PILOT WAS NOT INJURED. THE OPERATOR STATED THAT THE GROUND HANDLER WHO HAD BEEN EMPLOYED TWO WEEKS HAD RECEIVED TRAINING ON PROPER PROCEDURES. NO TRAINING IS REQUIRED BY THE 14 CFR 91.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1880G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1880G), registered now, S/N 50, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 7GCBC
- Registry model: [Champion 7GCBC](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7gcbc) (registry code 21101PK) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 50
- Airframe hours: 3518
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Astro Aerial Advertising
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, April 1, 1985
- Departed: ACY, ATLANTIC CITY, NJ
- Destination: WWD, CAPE MAY CO., NJ
- Airport: WWD, Cape May County Airport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 1,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 64 °F

## 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 19850704031499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850704031499A), Jul 4, 1985: Bbavia 7GCBC, Wildwood, NJ. Ground handler became caught in banner pickup. Was carried aloft then fell to ground and was fatally injured.

## Other investigations on N1880G (4)

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.

- [NTSB CEN12CA285](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA285), May 9, 2012: Champion 7GCBC (N1880G), Genoa, NE, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s loss of directional control of the airplane during an aborted landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s improper flare.
- [NTSB NYC80FHD17](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC80FHD17), Jun 1, 1980: Champion 7GCBC (N1880G), Williamstown, NJ, substantial damage
- [NTSB NYC75FNE40](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC75FNE40), Jun 23, 1975: Champion 7GCBA (N1880G), Waterbury, CT, substantial damage
- [NTSB NYC74FNC15](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC74FNC15), Jul 29, 1973: Champion 7GCBC (N1880G), Springfield, VT, substantial damage

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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