On September 10, 1983, a Bellanca 8GCBC (registration N90916) was involved in an aviation accident near Berlin, MD. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An aircraft crashed into trees after its landing gear became entangled in a banner tow bridle during an attempted pick-up. Witnesses described the pilot's attempts to shake off the bridle before the aircraft descended into trees.
Accident Sequence
During an attempted banner pick-up, the aircraft's landing gear became entangled in the banner's tow bridle. According to a witness on the ground who was a member of the banner crew, the aircraft approached too low and caught its left landing gear in the bridle. The pilot then attempted to shake the bridle off the wheel. The aircraft cleared power lines but dipped its left wing, releasing the banner. Subsequently, the right wing dipped and the aircraft disappeared into the trees.
Witness Accounts
Another witness, a pilot flying another banner tow aircraft at approximately 400 feet above ground level, reported observing the wings bank left and right twice before the aircraft spun to the right and entered the trees. The accident occurred during daytime operations.