On May 1, 1985, a Cessna 305A (registration N5292G) operated by C.d. Horton was involved in an aviation accident near No.myrtle Bch, SC. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A banner-towing aircraft crashed shortly after releasing a fowled banner during a steep climb. The pilot was uninjured, but the plane was destroyed by fire on the west side of runway 05.
What happened
Following a banner pickup operation, the pilot received instructions from the company group and crew to release the banner due to a fouled pickup condition. The release occurred during a steep climb-out phase at altitude. Immediately after the banner was released, the pilot lost directional control of the aircraft. The aircraft subsequently crashed on the west side of runway 05. Ground personnel removed the uninjured pilot from the wreckage. The aircraft was destroyed by post-crash fire.
The investigation
The source text does not provide specific details regarding mechanical examination or investigative findings beyond the immediate sequence of events leading to the crash.
Findings
Loss of directional control occurred immediately after banner release during a steep climb-out.