# NTSB NYC89LA172: Piper PA-18A, N8061C, Atlantic City, NJ, July 23, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 23, 1989, 10:45 local (14:45 UTC)
- Place: Atlantic City, NJ
- Location: 39.3773° N, 74.4511° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Atlantic City, NJ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3773&lon=-74.4511&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 2, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36444
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89LA172
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36444/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89LA172

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE FLYING SPEED, AND HIS DELAY TO JETTISON THE BANNER. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE LOCATION OF THE TREES.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - load jettison - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO PICK UP A BANNER LOCATED ADJACENT TO GARDEN STATE PARKWAY.  THE BANNER WAS SUCCESSFULLY PICKED UP, BUT THE PILOT STATED THAT IT FELT HEAVY EVEN WITH FULL POWER BEING APPLIED.  HE APPLIED RIGHT RUDDER PRESSURE TO CORRECT A WING LOW ATTITUDE & FORWARD PRESSURE TO LOWER THE AIRCRAFT NOSE.  THE AIRCRAFT DID NOT ACCELERATE.  AS THE PILOT REACHED FOR THE BANNER RELEASE, THE LEFT WING CLIPPED A 20 FT PINE TREE & THE AIRCRAFT CARTWHEELED COUNTERCLOCKWISE, IMPACTING THE GROUND IN A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8061C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8061C), registered now, S/N 18-3409, built 1954 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18A
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18A-135](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18a-135) (registry code 7101822) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 183409
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Paramount Air Service
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Departed: WWD, RIO GRANDE, NJ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 1,768 total, 123 in this make and model, 1,700 as pilot in command, 208 in the last 90 days, 126 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °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 19890723024799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890723024799A), Jul 23, 1989: Piper PA18A135, Atlantic City, NJ, Substantial damage. Unable to climb or release banner after pickup. Descended into trees blamed throttle and banner release adjustments

## Other investigations on N8061C (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 NYC77FHD28](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC77FHD28), Mar 24, 1977: Piper PA-18 (N8061C), Atlantic City, NJ, 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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