On August 18, 1987, a Bellanca 8GCBC (registration N5060K) was involved in an aviation accident near Martha Vineyard, MA. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During commercial tuna spotting, a pilot dove steeply to turn escaping fish back into a net, then pulled up abruptly. Witnesses heard a crack, saw the left wing collapse, and the aircraft spin into the ocean. Neither wreckage nor pilot were recovered.
Incident Overview
A pilot engaged in commercial fishing operations as a spotter was directing the closure of nets around schools of tuna. While the net was being closed, the fish reversed course and began to escape through the open portion of the net. In an apparent attempt to turn the fish back into the net, the pilot dove at a steep angle toward the water in front of the school.
Sequence of Events
The aircraft descended very low before pulling up abruptly. Witnesses reported hearing a loud crack as the aircraft began to climb. They then observed the left wing collapse rearward, after which the aircraft entered a spin and descended into the ocean. The witnesses did not see the aircraft contact the water before hearing the crack and observing the damaged wing.
Aftermath
Neither the wreckage nor the pilot's body were recovered. Fish spotting operations are normally conducted at or above 1,000 feet above ground level.