Bellanca 7GCBC accident near Farmingdale, New Jersey, July 30, 1995
On July 30, 1995 at about 8:30 pm local time, a Bellanca 7GCBC, registered N8610V, was substantially damaged in an accident near Farmingdale, New Jersey (Allaire airport). It was an other work-use flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the pilot's improper inflight decision and inaccurate fuel consumption calculations, resulting in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion and a forced landing over unsuitable terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 30, 1995 · about 8:30 pm local time
- Place
- Farmingdale, New Jersey · Allaire
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bellanca 7GCBC · all 7GCBCs on the register
- Registration
- N8610V · no longer on the register · serial 803-75
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT HAD BEEN CONDUCTING A BANNER TOWING FLIGHT, AND WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE AMOUNT OF FUEL REMAINING; HOWEVER, THE PILOT DECIDED TO CONTINUE THE FLIGHT. UPON COMPLETION OF THE BANNER TOWING OPERATIONS, THE PILOT RETURNED TO ALLAIRE AIRPORT, DROPPED THE BANNER AND APPLIED POWER TO GO-AROUND FOR LANDING AND LOST TOTAL ENGINE POWER. THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TREES DURING THE FORCED LANDING. POSTACCIDENT EXAMINATION BY AN FAA INSPECTOR REVEALED NO DISCREPANCIES WITH THE AIRFRAME OR ENGINE. ADDITIONALLY, THREE QUARTS OF FUEL WERE DRAINED FROM THE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM.
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
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 3,800 hours in all; 20 in this make and model; 40 in the last 90 days; 20 in the last 30 days; 3,730 as pilot in command; 2,680 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: ctr
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,052 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 3, 1995; 116 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,650 lb
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-A28 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 4NY7 East Moriches NY at 5:30 pm
- Destination: BLM
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 330° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 7:45 pm from BLM
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.