Summary
A banner tow airplane stalled during the initial climb after picking up a banner and subsequently impacted the runway. The pilot reported that the flight had been routine up to that point.
Accident Details
The pilot stated that he completed a normal traffic pattern and approach to Runway 30 for the banner pick-up. After a routine pick-up, he initiated a climb. During the initial climb, the angle of attack was steep, and the airplane stalled. The pilot lowered the nose and noted that the engine was at full power, but the airplane impacted the runway.
Witnesses on the ground reported clear weather with little or no wind. One witness observed that during the initial climb, the airplane began to flutter before falling to the ground and impacting the runway.
Investigation
An examination of the engine by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) disclosed no evidence of mechanical malfunction. The investigation also revealed that the pilot had received his endorsement for banner towing six days prior to the accident.
No probable cause was determined by the investigation.