On July 11, 1993, a Maule M-6-235 (registration N56476) operated by Gerald E. Hause was involved in an aviation accident near Willoughby, OH. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED DURING A PULLUP MANEUVER, WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE LACK OF ALTITUDE FOR RECOVERY. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A banner towing aircraft crashed during an attempted aerial pickup after the pilot aborted due to a mispositioned tow line. The airplane experienced a loss of control and impacted terrain; no anomalies were found in the airframe, engine, or banner hitch.
Accident Details
On the day of the accident, a flight was planned to pick up and tow a banner. According to a groundcrew member positioned beneath the airplane's flight path, after takeoff the pilot began to initiate the aerial pickup. The witness observed that the tow line was not in its correct position for banner pickup and signaled to the pilot to abort the pickup. Subsequently, the airplane side-stepped the runway, then pitched up into a vertical climb and a shallow left turn. At approximately 150 feet above ground, the airplane's nose fell to the left and the airplane descended, impacting the ground. The witness reported that the engine was running throughout the accident sequence.
Investigation Findings
Post-accident examination of the wreckage did not reveal any anomalies in the airframe or engine. Additionally, the banner hitch and its installation were examined with no anomalies noted. No preexisting mechanical or structural issues were identified that could have contributed to the accident sequence.
What happened in the 11 Jul 1993 Maule M-6-235 accident near Willoughby, OH?
A banner towing aircraft crashed during an attempted aerial pickup after the pilot aborted due to a mispositioned tow line. The airplane experienced a loss of control and impacted terrain; no anomalies were found in the airframe, engine, or banner hitch.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 11 Jul 1993 involved a Maule M-6-235, registration N56476, operated by Gerald E. Hause, at Willoughby, OH.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED DURING A PULLUP MANEUVER, WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE LACK OF ALTITUDE FOR RECOVERY.
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