FARMINGDALE, NJ, USA
N8610V
BELLANCA 7GCBC
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.
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.
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.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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