On October 8, 1991, a Bellanca 7GCBC (registration N4155Y) operated by Island Aeroplane Tours was involved in an aviation accident near Key West, FL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL/SPIN AT AN ALTITUDE THAT WAS TOO LOW FOR RECOVERY. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO JETTISON THE BANNER WHEN THE STALL WAS ENCOUNTERED. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
An airplane stalled and entered a spin after picking up a banner, crashing into a pond adjacent to the runway. The engine was running until impact.
Accident Sequence
Witnesses observed the airplane engage and pick up a banner. As the airplane reached the top of the pickup maneuver, with the banner having just cleared the ground, the airplane banked to the right. It then stalled and began to spin. Subsequently, the airplane crashed into a pond next to the runway.
Witness Accounts
According to witnesses, the engine was running until the moment of impact. They reported no unusual sounds or signs of mechanical failure prior to the stall.
Post-Accident Examination
Following the accident, investigators found the banner bridle and safety link still attached to the airplane's pickup hook. The airplane came to rest in the pond, and no further details about the aircraft or occupants were available.