What happened
Witnesses observed a commercial pilot attempting to pick up a tow banner. The airplane approached the pickup poles at an insufficient altitude. Consequently, the airplane passed beneath the poles without engaging the hook with the bridle. Instead, the bridle became entangled around the tailwheel.
Following this entanglement, the aircraft pitched upward approximately 40 degrees. An increase in engine power was heard just prior to the stall. The airplane then rolled to the left and collided with the terrain.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the mechanics of the banner pickup operation. Evidence indicated that the low approach prevented proper hook engagement. The entanglement of the bridle around the tailwheel was identified as the primary mechanical failure point during the attempt.