N50619

On July 1, 2006, at 1245 eastern daylight time, a Bellanca 7GCBC, N50619, was substantially damaged during a forced landing in Toms River, New Jersey. The certificated commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local banner towing flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

According to the pilot, as he was flying westbound at an altitude of 1,000 feet, the airplane's engine lost power. The pilot applied full throttle; however, the engine did not respond, and the airplane continued to lose altitude and airspeed. At an altitude of 800 feet, the pilot applied carburetor heat and looked for a place to land. He performed a forced landing on a road, during which the airplane impacted a road sign. The airplane subsequently spun around, the landing gear impacted a curb, and the airplane skidded to a stop in a grass area.

Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that approximately 17 gallons of fuel were drained from the airplane, with no contamination observed. Fuel was also observed in the carburetor bowl, gascolator, and fuel lines. The throttle, mixture, and carburetor heat control linkages were connected and operated smoothly. The throttle and carburetor heat controls were observed in the off position.

The engine was test run on the airframe. It started normally and was operated between 1500 and 1700 RPM. During the test run, operational checks of the magnetos, mixture and carburetor heat controls revealed no anomalies.

Weather reported at McGuire Air Force Base, Wrightstown, New Jersey, approximately 22 miles to the northwest, at 1255, included winds from 290 degrees at 7 knots, visibility 7 miles, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet, temperature 84 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 61 degrees Fahrenheit, and an altimeter setting of 30.16 inches of mercury.

Interpolation of a carburetor icing probability chart revealed that atmospheric conditions were conducive to "light icing at glide or cruise power."