# NTSB NYC95LA179: Bellanca 7GCBC, N8610V, Farmingdale, NJ, July 30, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 30, 1995, 16:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Farmingdale, NJ - Location: 40.1984° N, 74.1701° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Farmingdale, NJ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1984&lon=-74.1701&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report January 29, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 39019 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC95LA179 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39019/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC95LA179 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper inflight decision and inaccurate fuel consumption calculations, resulting in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion and a forced landing over unsuitable terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering - fluid,fuel - exhaustion - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing - object - tree(s) ## Analysis THE PILOT HAD BEEN CONDUCTING A BANNER TOWING FLIGHT, AND WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE AMOUNT OF FUEL REMAINING; HOWEVER, THE PILOT DECIDED TO CONTINUE THE FLIGHT. UPON COMPLETION OF THE BANNER TOWING OPERATIONS, THE PILOT RETURNED TO ALLAIRE AIRPORT, DROPPED THE BANNER AND APPLIED POWER TO GO-AROUND FOR LANDING AND LOST TOTAL ENGINE POWER. THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TREES DURING THE FORCED LANDING. POSTACCIDENT EXAMINATION BY AN FAA INSPECTOR REVEALED NO DISCREPANCIES WITH THE AIRFRAME OR ENGINE. ADDITIONALLY, THREE QUARTS OF FUEL WERE DRAINED FROM THE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM. ## Factual narrative On July 30, 1995, at 1630 eastern daylight time, a Bellanca 7GCBC, N8610V, operated by United Aerial Advertising, Inc., sustained substantial damage when it collided with a tree during a forced landing, approximately 300 yards from the Allaire Airport, Farmingdale, New Jersey. The airline transport pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the banner towing flight, which departed East Moriches, New York, at 1330. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In the NTSB form 6120.1/2, the pilot stated: ...The aircraft felt sluggish throughout the flight so I expressed my concern about fuel consumption to Don...to which he replied if you want to turn in,...but you can't be running out of fuel we have only been up here 1 1/2 hours. I relied on his experience, and on the fact that I was sure I had two hours of fuel left. I reached [Farmingdale] at approximately 1610, dropped the banner...[and] applied full power to go around for landing and lost the engine....I proceeded into a large field...which was surrounded by trees....The left wing hit some branches at the tree line, and shortly thereafter hit the ground.... Postaccident examination by the Federal Aviation Administration Inspector revealed no discrepancies with the engine or airframe. Additionally, three quarts of fuel was drained from the entire fuel system. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8610V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8610V-2013-05-15), registration cancelled 2013-05-15, S/N 803-75, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELLANCA 7GCBC - Registry model: [Bellanca 7GCBC](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-7gcbc) (registry code 1220601) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 803-75 - Airframe hours: 3052 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A28 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Operator: United Aerial Advertising - Registered owner: Gsf Holding Corp - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Aerobatic - Last inspection: Annual, May 3, 1995, 116 hours before - Departed: 4NY7, EAST MORICHES, NY - Destination: BLM - Airport: BLM, Allaire ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 3,800 total, 20 in this make and model, 3,730 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: BLM ## 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 19950730020279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950730020279A), Jul 30, 1995: Bbavia 7GCBC, Belmar/Farmingd, NJ, Substantial damage. Low fuel on banner tow. Finished patrol. Returned. Dropped banner. Lost power on go around. Hit trees. Out of fuel. 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.