NTSB Factual Report

On April 23, 2018, about 1550 eastern daylight time, a Bellanca 7GCBC, N8737V, was substantially damaged following a loss of engine power and loss of control, followed by impact with water near Aeroflex-Andover Airport (12N), Andover, New Jersey. The airline transport pilot, the sole occupant, was seriously injured. The airplane was registered to United Aerial Advertising of Delaware Inc., Wilmington, Delaware. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed. The local flight, which was being operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, was originating at the time of the accident.

According to a witness who observed the entire accident sequence, after making the first takeoff and experiencing a loss of engine power on initial climb, the pilot made a 180° turn, returned to the airport and landed. After trouble shooting and general maintenance having been performed on the engine, the engine was run at various power settings with no anomalies noted. The witness stated that the pilot attempted to make a second takeoff, however, during initial climb the airplane appeared to stall after experiencing a loss of engine power, followed by the left wing dropping. He was able to recover the airplane to a wings-level attitude, but subsequently impacted water in a flat, belly-flop type attitude. The pilot was rescued by first responders after having successfully egressed the airplane. He was then transported to a local hospital.

The airplane was recovered from the lake and moved to a secured location for further examination.