Pilot Debrief

Piper PA-18-150 near N Myrtle Beach, SC — 2008-07-03

Final reportMIA08LA135
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Date
2008-07-03
Location
N Myrtle Beach, SC, USA
Aircraft
Piper PA-18-150
Registration
N6851Z
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The failure of the banner tow operator to inspect banners for deterioration, resulting in a portion of a banner separating in-flight from another banner tow airplane, and colliding with the accident banner tow airplane.

NTSB narrative

The pilot stated he was towing a banner northeast, parallel to the beach at 500 feet agl. Another company airplane was towing a banner southwest at 600 feet agl, about 1,000 feet off the shoreline parallel to the beach, when its banner separated aft of the main panel. The separated banner collided with the propeller of the airplane at 500 feet agl, and the engine stopped. The pilot made a forced landing to the ocean, and the airplane came to rest inverted. Examination of the banner revealed the material was deteriorated and tore easily by hand. There are no Federal Aviation Administration procedures for construction, maintenance, or inspection of banners.

NTSB coding

View NTSB final report

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