Event NYC04LA181

Factual narrative

On July 31, 2004, about 1015 eastern daylight time, a Bellanca 7KCAB, N53748, was substantially damaged while maneuvering at the Monmouth Executive Airport, Farmingdale, New Jersey. The certificated commercial pilot sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the commercial banner tow flight that was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot reported that he was conducting his first banner pick up of the day. After contacting the banner, he began to climb; however, at 200 feet above the ground, he encountered a wind gust. The airplane began to lose altitude and airspeed, and the pilot noticed that the engine rpm was at 2,200. The pilot released the banner and attempted to climb; however, wind shear pushed the airplane down, and into power lines. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, witnesses observed the airplane in a steep nose-up attitude. After the banner was released, the airplane rolled to the left, struck power lines and then impacted a hanger. According to the owner of the banner tow company, the pilot took off, climbed out normally and then proceed with the banner pick up. The pilot did not add full power until about 15 feet prior to the banner pick-up poles. The airplane picked up the banner, then immediately pitched up steeply. The wings began to rock back and forth and the airplane began to descend with the banner connected. He radioed the pilot to release the banner. The banner was released; however, the airplane "stalled" into wires and impacted a hanger. He further stated that the normal banner pick up procedure with regards to engine power was to add full throttle about 100 to 125 feet prior to the banner pick-up poles. Examination of the airplane by an FAA inspector did not revealed any mechanical malfunctions. The banner poles were aligned with runway 14. Winds reported at the airport, about the time of the accident, were from 210 degrees at 6 knots. The pilot reported 362 hours of total flight experience, which included 63 hours in the same make and model as the accident airplane. The pilot took off, climbed out normally and then proceeded with a banner pick-up. A witness reported that the pilot did not add full power until about 15 feet prior to the banner pick-up poles. The airplane picked up the banner, then immediately pitched up steeply. The wings began to rock back and forth and the airplane began to descend with the banner connected. The pilot released the banner; however, the airplane descended into wires and impacted a hangar. According to the operator, the normal banner pick-up procedure with regards to engine power was to add full throttle about 100 to 125 feet prior to the banner pick-up poles. Examination of the airplane did not revealed any mechanical malfunctions. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12