Incident Overview
On July 3, 2008, at 0900 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-18-150, registered as N6851Z (call sign Sky 12), operated by Sky Signs LLC under 14 CFR Part 91 as a banner tow flight, collided in flight with a separated banner from another Piper PA-18-150, N2991Z (call sign Sky 7). The collision occurred over the Atlantic Ocean adjacent to the shoreline at North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a company flight plan had been filed. The aircraft sustained substantial damage, and the commercial pilot reported minor injuries. The flight had originated from Sky Field in Conway, South Carolina, at 0815.
Sequence of Events
The pilot of Sky 12 stated he was flying northeast bound parallel to the beach at 500 feet near Grand Strand Airport when he observed a banner floating directly ahead. He attempted to evade by diving below it, but the banner entangled with the propeller, causing the engine to stop. He turned toward the beach, released his own banner, broadcast a May Day call, and initiated a forced landing in the surf line of the Atlantic Ocean. The aircraft struck the water and nosed over, coming to rest inverted.
The pilot of Sky 7 reported that he had flown north of Grand Strand Airport, turned out to sea, then made a right turn to proceed southwest parallel to the beach at 600 feet and about 1,000 feet offshore. During the turn, he communicated with Sky 12 on an air-to-air frequency, and they exchanged positions. After switching to the Grand Strand Airport control tower frequency, he felt an increase in airspeed while abeam runway 23. Looking back, he observed that his banner had separated aft of the main panel. An ocean breeze carried the separated banner inland. He then saw Sky 12 dive to avoid the banner, but the banner struck Sky 12's propeller, stopping the engine. He heard the emergency declaration and watched the forced landing.
Examination of the Separated Banner
Two Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors examined the separated banner. According to the FAA, "The banner was inspected and showed signs of material failure." A company employee and an FAA inspector were able to tear the accident banner with minimal effort, even though both had just remarked that "the banner material looked new and strong and should not have torn easily." The banner had been constructed by a company seamstress; there are no FAA written procedures concerning banner construction. Sky Signs LLC is not required to maintain records regarding the banner's age, number of tows, or inspection history. There was no evidence that the banner of Sky 7 had been struck and cut by Sky 12 while being towed.