On July 23, 1989, a Piper PA-18A (registration N8061C) operated by Paramount Air Service was involved in an aviation accident near Atlantic City, NJ. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE FLYING SPEED, AND HIS DELAY TO JETTISON THE BANNER. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE LOCATION OF THE TREES. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 2 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
During a banner pickup adjacent to the Garden State Parkway, the pilot felt the banner heavy at full power. After applying right rudder and forward pressure, the aircraft failed to accelerate; the left wing struck a 20-foot pine tree, causing a counterclockwise cartwheel and nose-down impact.
Incident Overview
A pilot was attempting to pick up a banner located adjacent to the Garden State Parkway. The banner was successfully engaged, but the pilot reported that it felt heavy even with full power applied.
Flight Sequence
After picking up the banner, the pilot applied right rudder pressure to correct a wing-low attitude and forward pressure to lower the aircraft's nose. The aircraft did not accelerate as expected. As the pilot reached for the banner release, the left wing clipped a 20-foot pine tree.
Impact and Outcome
Following the wing strike, the aircraft cartwheeled counterclockwise and impacted the ground in a nose-down attitude. No further information regarding the aircraft, occupants, or injuries was provided in the source.