Incident Overview
Following takeoff, the pilot jettisoned the tow rope from the cockpit. The rope became entangled around the left rudder horn. When the pilot retrieved the banner, the trailing edge of the rudder was fully deflected to the right due to the rope's position.
Flight Sequence
The pilot executed a right turn crosswind, followed by downwind and base legs. While the aircraft was approximately one-quarter mile northwest of the airport, it stalled and entered a half-turn spin to the right. The aircraft subsequently collided with the ground in a residential area.
Operational Details
According to the owner of the operation, a mirror is installed on the left wing strut to allow the pilot to view the tow rope at the D-ring. This mirror is intended to verify that the tow rope is not wrapped around the rudder horn. The pilot was unable to release the banner during the flight.