NTSB Factual Report

On August 4, 2018, about 1200 eastern daylight time, a Bellanca 7GCAA, N87000, was substantially damaged after impacting terrain while conducting a banner-towing operation at Lakewood Airport (N12), Lakewood, New Jersey. The commercial pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated by United Aerial Advertising of Delaware under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, no flight plan had been filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.

The pilot reported that the preflight and ground operations were uneventful. He departed runway 24, with full fuel tanks about 1000. After a 2-hour flight he decided to return to the airport due to weather in the area. On final approach, before dropping the banner, about 500 ft above ground level, he reduced the throttle to idle as the airplane descended on the right side of runway 24, towards the banner drop-off area at the end of the runway. When the airplane was about tree height, he pitched up and added full throttle, preparing to drop the banner. He stated the engine did not respond as expected, "the engine continued to operate but produced very limited power while making abnormal combustion sounds." He verified the mixture was full rich and the throttle was full forward, then released the banner. The airplane was low and slow, so he pitched down and elected to land straight ahead. The airplane impacted small pine trees and terrain.

A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the airplane where it came to rest, about 500 ft past the departure end of runway 24. The airplane came to rest in a nose low, near vertical position. The left wing was separated but still attached. The engine was partially separated from the airframe.

The two-seat, high-wing, fixed-gear equipped airplane was manufactured in 1974. It was powered by a Lycoming O-320, 150-horsepower engine.

The pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single engine land and instrument airplane. He also possessed a flight instructor rating for airplane single engine.

At 1155, the weather conditions reported at Lakehurst Maxfield Airport (NEL), Lakehurst, New Jersey, about 8 miles west of the accident site included, wind from 270° at 5 knots, visibility 4 statute miles, rain, few 600 ft, temperature 23°C, dew point 23°C, and an altimeter setting of 30.10 inches of mercury.

The wreckage was retained for further examination.