FORT WALTON BCH, FL, USA
N7011K
PIPER PA-20
THE PILOT RELEASED A GRAPPLE HOOK IN PREPARATION OF PICKING UP A BANNER, AND DID NOT VISUALLY CHECK THE GRAPPLE HOOK AFTER DEPLOYMENT. UPON BANNER HOOK UP, THE PILOT HAD TO APPLY FULL RIGHT RUDDER TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. THE GRAPPLE HOOK WAS ENTRANGLED AROUND THE RUDDER POST HORN. ATTEMPTS TO RELEASE THE BANNER WERE UNSUCCESSFUL. A FORCED LANDING WAS CONDUCTED TO THE BEACH. ON LANDING ROLL OUT THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER.
THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO VISUALLY INSPECT THE GRAPPLE HOOK/CABLE AFTER DEPLOYMENT, TO ENSURE IT WAS FREE FROM ALL CONTROL SURFACES PRIOR TO INITIATING A BANNER PICKUP.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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