Bellanca 8GCBC N749SK

Summary

On 4 July 2024 at about 20:00 local time, a Bellanca 8GCBC registered N749SK, operated by Ocean Aerial ADS Inc, was involved in an accident near Frankford, Delaware, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

4 July 2024 at 20:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Frankford, Delaware, United States

Coordinates

38.5143, -75.1421

Aircraft

Bellanca 8GCBC

Registration

N749SK

Category

Airplane

Year built

1974

Engines

1

Operator

Ocean Aerial ADS Inc

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Banner Tow

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Berlin → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA24LA299

1 person had minor injuries.

A partial loss of engine power resulting from cylinder detonation and a cracked spark plug, which resulted in a forced landing and impact with terrain.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot was flying at 300 ft mean sea level (msl) while towing a banner when he noticed the engine oil temperature began to increase. The pilot informed the operator and climbed to 1,200 ft msl; however, the airplane would not maintain altitude and was slowly descending. The engine rpm began to decrease and the engine increasingly began to run rough. The pilot dropped the banner as the airplane descended through 700 ft msl, and he initiated a forced landing in a field that was bordered by trees. Unable to reach the field, the airplane impacted the top of trees. The airplane then descended to the ground, resulting in substantial airframe and wing damage. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed damage to the No. 3 cylinder that was consistent with detonation in the form of erosion on the edge of the intake valve and valve seat insert, and a cracked lower spark plug that was likely the cause of the detonation. A review of the most recent annual inspection maintenance logs revealed that the No. 3 cylinder assembly was replaced with a new cylinder 45 days before the accident.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.