On July 12, 1989, a Bellanca 7KCAB (registration N57417) was involved in an aviation accident near Berlin, MD. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's loss of control during a banner pickup attempt, which resulted in a stall and collision with a power line. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A banner-towing aircraft stalled and collided with a power line shortly after missing a pickup attempt for the second time, resulting in a crash at approximately 80 feet above ground level.
What happened
The pilot was engaged in banner towing operations when attempting to retrieve a banner from the ground. During this maneuver, the aircraft missed the target for the second consecutive attempt. Witnesses observed that immediately following the second failure to secure the banner, the aircraft began to climb while simultaneously turning to the left. The bank angle of the turn increased progressively until it reached 90 degrees. At an altitude of approximately 80 feet above ground level, the aircraft stalled and subsequently collided with a power line.
The investigation
A post-accident examination of the aircraft was conducted to determine the condition of the airframe and systems. The inspection did not disclose any evidence of mechanical malfunction or failure that would have contributed to the accident.
Probable cause
The pilot's loss of control during a banner pickup attempt, which resulted in a stall and collision with a power line.