Accident Summary
A pilot involved in a banner towing flight experienced a stall during a pull-up maneuver after dropping the banner, resulting in an impact with the ground. The pilot had previously completed one banner tow mission and was preparing to land when the accident occurred.
Sequence of Events
According to the pilot's report, while recovering from the first banner tow mission, he observed a line of cumulus buildups moving from the Gulf toward the airport in a northerly direction. He decided not to retrieve another banner and planned only to drop the current banner and land. The surface winds were reported from the east at 10 to 15 mph and had been increasing. The tower cleared the pilot to drop the banner beside Runway 04 and then to land on Runway 14. The approach and banner drop were normal. During the subsequent pull-up, the aircraft stalled. The pilot was unable to recover before the aircraft impacted the ground.
Meteorological Conditions
The surface weather observation at the time of the accident reported broken clouds at 1,600 feet and 15,000 feet, visibility of 7 miles, a thunderstorm, wind from 160 degrees at 10 knots gusting to 16 knots, and cumulonimbus clouds in all quadrants moving northwest. The pilot had noted increasing easterly surface winds and the presence of cumulus buildups.
Remarks
No further details regarding the aircraft, pilot, or injuries were provided in the source. The investigation focused on the pilot's account of the stall during the banner tow recovery.