On June 2, 1989, a Champion 7GCBC (registration N1652G) operated by Barnstormers Flt. Signs, Inc was involved in an aviation accident near Myrtle Beach, SC. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE IMPROPER INSTALLATION/MODIFICATION OF THE BANNER TOW SYSTEM, WHICH JAMMED THE RUDDER DURING A LANDING. THE WIND AND TERRAIN CONDITIONS WERE RELATED FACTORS. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
After dropping a banner, a pilot attempted a landing at a private airport in gusty winds. The aircraft encountered a downdraft, touched down tail-first, bounced, swerved left, and nosed over in a bean field. Examination revealed the rudder was jammed left by contact with a banner tow hook.
Incident Description
A pilot who had just dropped a banner elected to make a three-point landing at a small private airport where the wind was gusting to 15 knots. The pilot reported that just before touchdown, the aircraft encountered a downdraft, and he increased back pressure on the control stick to arrest the descent. The aircraft contacted the runway tail first and bounced slightly. It then swerved to the left, departed the runway, and nosed over in an adjacent bean field.
Examination Findings
An examination of the aircraft revealed that the rudder had contacted one of the banner tow hooks and was jammed to the left. The banner tow installation had recently been modified from a single hook to a multiple hook system.
Regulatory Notification
In a letter dated May 31, 1989, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) notified the facility that performed the modification that the multiple hook installation could not be approved as submitted on FAA Form 337.