American Champion (Acac) 8GCBC accident near Sanford, Florida, June 22, 2007
On June 22, 2007 at about 4:36 pm local time, a American Champion (Acac) 8GCBC, registered N139SG, was substantially damaged in an accident near Sanford, Florida (Sanford International Airport). It was a banner-towing flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed and his excessive pitch attitude while maneuvering.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 22, 2007 · about 4:36 pm local time
- Place
- Sanford, Florida · Sanford International Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- American Champion (Acac) 8GCBC
- Registration
- N139SG · no longer on the register · serial 469-2005
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Banner-towing flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During a banner-towing flight, witnesses observed the airplane make a low pass, as if picking up a banner; however, the airplane did not pick up the banner. The airplane then climbed at an excessive pitch, until it banked to the left and impacted the ground. Examination of the airplane and engine revealed no preimpact mechanical anomalies. The most recent annual inspection was completed 2 months prior to the accident, with no anomalies noted. The pilot reported approximately 5,900 total hours of flight experience, 21 of which were in the accident airplane.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 5,900 hours in all; 21 in this make and model; 50 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 146 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 1, 2007
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360 (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
- Operator: Rosie O'Grady'S Aerial Advertising Co.
The flight
- Departed from: SFB Sanford FL at 4:30 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 9R, 3,500 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 020° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 3,600 ft
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observation at 4:47 pm from SFB
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.