Event BFO91LA064

1991-07-05 BERLIN, Maryland, United States Airport · NONE None 1 aircraft Status: Completed

Registry · N5BJ

FAA Aircraft Registry record.

Make / Model

CHAMPION 7KCAB

Year of manufacture

1969 · 22 years old at event

Engine

LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES (180 hp)

Seats / Engines

2 seats · 1 engine

Last airworthiness date

19810825

ADS-B equipped

Yes — Mode-S A63560

Registrant of record

LINRUD MICHAEL A

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

N5BJ Champion 7KCAB None

Probable cause & findings

THE UNSUITABLE PLACEMENT OF TWO BANNERS (IMPROPER PLANNING) BY OTHER PERSONNEL CAUSING AN UNINTENTIONAL PICKUP OF BOTH BANNERS.

Factual narrative

THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING AN AIRBORNE PICK UP OF A BANNER WHEN THE TAIL WHEEL CAUGHT THE BANNER AND UNINTENTIONALLY, A SECOND BANNER. HE FIRST ATTEMPTED TO RELEASE BOTH BANNERS BUT THEY WERE ENTANGLED WITH THE TAILWHEEL. THE ADDED DRAG CAUSED THE AIRPLANE TO LOSE ALTITUDE MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO RETURN TO THE FIELD. THE PILOT CONCENTRATED ON TRYING TO FIND A SUITABLE PLACE TO LAND, BUT THE AIRPLANE SETTLED INTO A WOODED AREA AND STRUCK SOME TREES, ABOUT A HALF-MILE FROM THE AIRFIELD. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_1991_BFO91LA064.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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