1992-06-06: Piper PA-25 — Barnstormer Flite Signs, Inc. — Socastee, SC

Casualties unknown • Socastee, SC, US

Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN PROPER CLEARANCE FROM TERRAIN DURING THE MANEUVER. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO RELEASE THE BANNER, AND THE EXCESSIVE SIZE OF THE BANNER.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

THE AIRCRAFT WAS RETURNING TO DROP A BANNER DURING A BANNER TOW OPERATION. THE BANNER CONTACTED TREES DURING THE MANEUVER, THE AIRCRAFT THEN STALLED AND COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN. A POST CRASH FIRE CONSUMED MOST OF THE AIRCRAFT. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE RELEASE MECHANISM FOR THE BANNER HAD NOT BEEN PULLED. OPERATION OF THE RELEASE MECHANISM SHOWED IT TO BE OPERATIONAL. THE INSPECTOR STATED THAT THE BANNER BEING TOWED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WAS 'HUGE'.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1992-06-06 Piper PA-25 accident near Socastee, SC?

THE AIRCRAFT WAS RETURNING TO DROP A BANNER DURING A BANNER TOW OPERATION. THE BANNER CONTACTED TREES DURING THE MANEUVER, THE AIRCRAFT THEN STALLED AND COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN. A POST CRASH FIRE CONSUMED MOST OF THE AIRCRAFT. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE RELEASE MECHANISM FOR THE BANNER HAD NOT BEEN PULLED.…

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1992-06-06 involved a Piper PA-25, registration N6179Z, operated by Barnstormer Flite Signs, Inc., at Socastee, SC.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN PROPER CLEARANCE FROM TERRAIN DURING THE MANEUVER. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO RELEASE THE BANNER, AND THE EXCESSIVE SIZE OF THE BANNER.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X14768. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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