# NTSB NYC85FA185: Bellanca 8KCAB, N5504B, Fall River, MA, July 21, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 21, 1985, 12:10 local (16:10 UTC)
- Place: Fall River, MA
- Location: 41.7015° N, 71.1550° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Fall River, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7015&lon=-71.1550&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35573
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC85FA185
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35573/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85FA185

## 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)
  - remedial action - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - load jettison - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WITNESSES OBSERVED THE ACFT EXECUTE AN AERIAL PICK UP OF THE AERIAL ADVERTISING BANNER & CLIMB VERY STEEPLY AWAY FROM THE GROUND. NORMAL ENG SOUNDS WERE REPORTED BY THE WITNESSES. THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED TO CLIMB TO AN ALT OF APPROX 150 FT, NEARLY COME TO A STOP, ROLL LT, THEN RT & CRASH TO THE GROUND. THE PLT WAS NOT LISTED ON THE HOLDER'S CERTIFICATE OF WAIVER ISSURED BY THE FAA FOR BANNER TOWING. ONE WITNESS STATED THAT THE BANNER WAS STILL ATTACHED TO THE ACFT AS IT DOVE TO THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5504B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5504B-2013-04-22), registration cancelled 2013-04-22, S/N 421-78, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 8KCAB
- Registry model: [Bellanca 8KCAB](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-8kcab) (registry code 1220801) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming AEIO-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-aeio-320-series) (registry code 41500, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 421-78
- Airframe hours: 533
- Engines: LYCOMING AEIO-320-E1B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Registered owner: Peter Dionne
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic
- Last inspection: Annual, March 27, 1985
- Airport: FLR, Fall River Muni., runway 6, 3,950 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 9,798 total, 65 in this make and model, 160 in the last 90 days, 48 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point -0 °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 19850721032729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850721032729A), Jul 21, 1985: Bbavia 8KCAB, Fall River, MA, Destroyed. The aircraft stalled during banner pickup. Pilot used a steep climb attitude. He was not on waiver for banner tow.

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.