Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 172M near Farmingdale, NJ — 2013-07-26

Final reportERA13LA339
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Date
2013-07-26
Location
Farmingdale, NJ, USA
Airport
BLM
Aircraft
CESSNA 172M
Registration
N61929
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

The airplane’s loss of lift shortly after picking up a banner for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examinations revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, while towing a banner through 300 feet above ground level (agl) with the engine at full power, the airplane experienced a sudden and abrupt loss of altitude shortly after picking up a banner. The pilot turned the airplane left to try to gain additional climb performance, but the airplane continued to descend. At 200 feet agl, the airplane was still descending, so the pilot pushed all three tow releases to release the banner. However, the banner did not release, so he continued turning the airplane left to find a suitable area to perform an emergency landing. The pilot performed a forced landing on a gravel path between two tree lines, and the left wing subsequently impacted trees. The banner released shortly before impact, and the tail banner towline and tow hook were located along the wreckage path leading to the main wreckage. The pilot did not notice a loss of engine rpm during the flight. Postaccident examination of the airplane and engine revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted the flight after initial altitude loss.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 7 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents7

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