Event Description
A pilot was attempting to pick up a banner. Witnesses reported that the pilot missed the banner on the first pass and returned for a second attempt. During the second attempt, the pilot missed the banner again and began to climb out.
Witness Observations
One witness stated that as the pilot began the climbout after the second miss, "a portion of the right wing folded back." The witness then observed the airplane roll to the right, with the nose dropping below the horizon. The airplane subsequently impacted terrain, and a postcrash fire ensued.
At the time of the accident, winds were reported from the northeast at 10 knots, with gusts to 20 knots.
Postaccident Examination
Postaccident examination of the wing was complicated by fire damage. The USDA Forest Products Laboratory conducted an examination of the wing structure. Their analysis revealed that the wooden spar failure was "caused by a force applied in an upward direction." The laboratory also stated that there was "no apparent [preimpact] problem with the quality of the wooden material."