On June 20, 2004, a Piper PA-25-235 (registration N82451) was involved in an aviation accident near Gulf Shores, AL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot stated that insufficient airspeed on the base leg led to a stall of the right wing, causing the aircraft to enter a nose-down attitude. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
After completing two banner tows, a pilot on landing approach experienced a stall on base leg due to insufficient speed, causing the aircraft to bank and descend into trees.
Accident Overview
A pilot operating a banner-towing flight reported an accident during the landing phase. The pilot had departed from a grass strip and completed two separate banner flights along a beach. After dropping off the second banner, the pilot proceeded to fly the pattern to land on the same grass strip.
Pilot Account
According to the pilot, while on the base leg of the pattern, insufficient airspeed was maintained. This resulted in the right wing stalling and "breaking out," forcing the aircraft to the right and into a nose-down attitude. The aircraft subsequently struck trees in that nose-down condition and came to a stop upon hitting the ground. The pilot did not report any mechanical issues with the airplane during the flight.
Witness Account
A witness observed the airplane on its base-to-final leg when it began to go behind the tree line in a 90-degree bank and a 60-degree nose-down position. No further details were provided by the witness.
The accident remains under investigation by the relevant authorities.
Probable cause
The pilot stated that insufficient airspeed on the base leg led to a stall of the right wing, causing the aircraft to enter a nose-down attitude.