What happened
The accident occurred during a banner towing flight. The pilot's father, who served as a senior captain for Pan Am, and the pilot's fiancee were present on the ground to assist with the banner pickup. According to the father, the aircraft began flying in a very erratic manner immediately after the banner towing hook was released. The plane exhibited significant banking and pitching movements before entering a steep descending right turn.
Two additional witnesses observed the aircraft's behavior and believed it acted as if it were experiencing a cross-control or accelerated stall condition. The flight ended with a crash, resulting in fatalities for the pilot and two passengers on board.
The investigation
A thorough examination of the accident site and available data revealed a critical mechanical anomaly. Investigators found that the pitch trim was set to the full nose-up position at the time of the crash. Despite this finding, no reason could be determined for why the trim was in that specific configuration.
Mechanical inspections also covered the propulsion system. No problems were found with the engine during the investigation. Witnesses reported that the engine operated at constant power throughout the final moments of the flight, indicating that engine failure or loss of power was not a contributing factor to the accident sequence.
Findings
The primary finding was the unexplained full nose-up pitch trim setting. This configuration likely contributed to the aircraft's erratic behavior and subsequent loss of control. The lack of a discernible reason for the trim position remains an unresolved aspect of the investigation. The engine performance was confirmed to be normal, ruling out mechanical failure as a cause.
Safety message
Pilots should ensure that all flight controls, including pitch trim, are properly set and secured before and during flight operations. Regular pre-flight checks and post-flight inspections can help identify unexpected control surface positions.