SOCASTEE, SC, USA
N6179Z
PIPER PA-25
THE AIRCRAFT WAS RETURNING TO DROP A BANNER DURING A BANNER TOW OPERATION. THE BANNER CONTACTED TREES DURING THE MANEUVER, THE AIRCRAFT THEN STALLED AND COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN. A POST CRASH FIRE CONSUMED MOST OF THE AIRCRAFT. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE RELEASE MECHANISM FOR THE BANNER HAD NOT BEEN PULLED. OPERATION OF THE RELEASE MECHANISM SHOWED IT TO BE OPERATIONAL. THE INSPECTOR STATED THAT THE BANNER BEING TOWED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WAS 'HUGE'.
THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN PROPER CLEARANCE FROM TERRAIN DURING THE MANEUVER. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO RELEASE THE BANNER, AND THE EXCESSIVE SIZE OF THE BANNER.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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