Incident Overview
During a banner tow operation, the pilot was attempting to pick up the banner. A gust of wind disturbed the intended flight path, prompting the pilot to initiate a go-around. As the pilot entered a climbing right turn, the left horizontal stabilizer snagged the banner rope. The banner, banner rope, and pickup poles became entangled around the fuselage.
Landing and Damage
The pilot attempted to land the airplane, but it was not aligned with the runway. Consequently, the pilot landed in the grass beside the runway. During the landing, one of the pickup poles stuck in the ground, which jerked the entangled rope. This action distorted the fuselage longerons forward of the horizontal stabilizer.
Sequence of Events
The incident began with a standard banner pickup maneuver. A sudden gust of wind disrupted the aircraft's trajectory, leading to an aborted pickup and a go-around. In the climbing turn, the banner rope made contact with the left horizontal stabilizer, causing entanglement. The subsequent forced landing in the grass resulted in additional structural stress as the ground-embedded pole pulled on the rope.
Aircraft and Operational Details
No specific aircraft type, registration, or operator details were provided in the source. The incident occurred during a daytime banner tow operation, though exact time and weather conditions were not specified beyond the mention of a gust of wind. ATC involvement was not indicated.