# NTSB NYC88LA177: Bellanca 7GCBC, N5041J, Laconia, NH, July 2, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 2, 1988, 16:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Laconia, NH
- Location: 43.5765° N, 71.4823° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Laconia, NH, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.5765&lon=-71.4823&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 29, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36179
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC88LA177
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36179/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88LA177

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - windshear (contributing factor)
  - towing/advertising/external load equipment - fouled (cause)
  - load jettison - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT AFTER PICKUP ON A BANNER TOW OPERATION, THE TOW BECAME TWISTED AND HE ELECTED TO RETURN AND RELEASE. ON DOWNWIND, THE ACFT BEGAN A RAPID DESCENT WHICH THE PLT COULD NOT COMPENSATE FOR, EVEN AFTER RELEASING THE BANNER AND ADDING POWER. ANOTHER PILOT IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN REPORTED WINDS VARIABLE 260 TO 350 DEGREES AND FROM CALM TO 12-15 KNOTS. HE ALSO REPORTED WINDSHEAR ON CLIMBOUT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5041J](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5041J), registered now, S/N 1119-79, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 7GCBC
- Registry model: [Bellanca 7GCBC](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-7gcbc) (registry code 1220601) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1119-79
- Airframe hours: 1050
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Operator: No. County Aerial Advertising
- Registered owner: Robert Stevens
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: LCI, LACONIA, NH

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 6,500 total, 450 in this make and model, 32 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °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 19880702025099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880702025099A), Jul 2, 1988: Bbavia 7GCBC, Guilford, NH, Destroyed. Returning due to twisted banner. Passenger on board. Uncontrolled descent to ground after releasing banner.

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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