Incident Details
A banner towing aircraft stalled and descended into an inland waterway shortly after departing. The accident occurred while the aircraft was on the crosswind leg of the traffic pattern.
Pilot Report
The pilot reported that he had just refueled and initiated takeoff. While on the crosswind leg, he encountered turbulence and a severe downdraft. He stated that even at full power, it became impossible to climb, leading to the stall and subsequent crash into the water.
Witness Account
A witness provided a different sequence of events. According to the witness, the aircraft made a low pass over a sign located on the right side of runway 23. Following this low pass, the aircraft executed a sharp turn at an altitude of approximately 50 to 75 feet above ground level (AGL). Immediately after the turn, the aircraft stalled and fell into the water.
Weather Conditions
Weather reports from the period between 1750 and 1858 hours indicated winds of 7 to 11 knots. No gusts or turbulence were noted in the official weather observations.