# NTSB NYC87FA272: Bellanca 8GCBC, N5060K, Martha Vineyard, MA, August 18, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 18, 1987, 14:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Martha Vineyard, MA
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 3, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30521
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC87FA272
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30521/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87FA272

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - water,rough
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - descent - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - wing - separation
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS INVOLVED IN COMMERICAL FISHING OPERATIONS AS A SPOTTER AND TO DIRECT THE CLOSING OF NETS AROUND SCHOOLS OF TUNA. WHILE DIRECTING THE CLOSING OF A NET, THE FISH BEING NETTED REVERSED COURSE AND STARTED TO ESCAPE FROM THE OPEN NET. THE PLT DOVE AT A STEEP ANGLE TOWARD THE WATER IN FRONT OF THE SCHOOL, APPARENTLY IN AN ATTEMPT TO TURN THE FISH BACK INTO THE NET. THE ACFT DESCENDED VERY LOW THEN PULLED UP ABRUPTLY. WITNESSES HEARD A LOUD CRACK AS THE ACFT BEGAN TO CLIMB, OBSERVED THE LEFT WING TO COLLAPSE REARWARD, AND THE ACFT TO SPIN INTO THE OCEAN. THE WITNESSES DID NOT SEE THE ACFT CONTACT THE WATER BEFORE HEARING THE CRACK AND OBSERVING THE DMGD WING. NEITHER THE WRECKAGE NOR THE PILOT'S BODY WERE RECOVERED. FISH SPOTTING IS NORMALLY CONDUCTED AT OR ABOVE 1000 FT AGL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5060K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5060K-1991-04-05), registration cancelled 1991-04-05, S/N 32979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 8GCBC
- Registry model: [Bellanca 8GCBC](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-8gcbc) (registry code 1220803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 329-79
- Airframe hours: 603
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-C2E 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Sea Queen Fishing, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1987
- Departed: EWB, NEW BEDFORD, MA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 4,800 total, 300 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19870818079249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870818079249A), Aug 18, 1987: Bbavia 8GCBC, Marthas Vineyar, MA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Wing hit the water while circling low on fish spotting. Plane pulled up but the wing folded. Aircraft sank in ocean

## Other investigations on N5060K (1)

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 FTW84LA278](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84LA278), Jun 20, 1984: Bellanca 8GCBC (N5060K), Spiro, OK, 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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