Accident Overview
On August 31, 2008, about 0925 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-18-150, N7482D, sustained substantial damage after impacting terrain while maneuvering at Camarillo Airport (CMA), Camarillo, California. The commercial pilot, the airplane's sole occupant, was killed. The airplane was operated by Van Wagner Aerial Media of Hollywood, Florida, under 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local banner tow flight, and no flight plan was filed. The flight departed CMA about 5 minutes prior to the accident.
Witness Accounts
Four witnesses provided statements. Witness #1 observed the pilot descend from downwind to base and final, leveling off about 10 feet above the ground approximately 150 feet before the pickup point. The pilot applied full power and climbed after crossing the pickup point, with the banner lifting off the ground. The airplane then momentarily leveled at about 150 feet above ground level before beginning a rapid descent at a 35- to 45-degree angle, impacting with a 'pop' sound.
Witness #2, a ground crew employee, reported that the pilot rotated very low and caught the banner pickup loop on the main gear. He did not see the subsequent descent or impact.
Witness #3 observed the pilot depart from Runway 26, climb to about 400 feet, then turn downwind. After reducing throttle, the pilot made a short base turn and final. The wings were about 15 feet above the ground when crossing the banner rope. After catching the rope, the pilot added full power and climbed at a 45-degree angle to about 150 feet, then leveled for 2 seconds before the nose dropped about 30 degrees and remained at that angle until impact. The elevator moved up and down but the aircraft did not respond, and the engine seemed normal.
Witness #4, another company pilot, was informed by a ground crewman that the lead rope was on the main gear. He watched the banner lift and the aircraft level off, then attempt a straight-ahead landing in the clear banner area, which was abnormal. The engine was running and the aircraft descended in a straight glide at a 30- to 40-degree angle without power increase.
Pilot Information
The 53-year-old pilot held a commercial pilot certificate for single-engine land, multiengine land, and instrument airplane. He received a second-class medical certificate on June 23, 2008, with the limitation "Must wear corrective lenses," listing 1,968 total flying hours. According to the company's Director of Operations, he had accumulated 260.2 hours of banner tow time in the PA-18. His most recent recurrent training on January 13, 2008, included 0.5 hours of ground instruction, and a prior training on October 12, 2007, included 0.5 hours ground and 0.5 hours flight on banner pick procedures. The chief pilot noted that the pilot had an issue in October 2007 where he picked up a banner with the main gear and had to land with it.
Company Procedure
Company personnel provided the standard banner pick-up procedure: overfly the pickup area, reenter downwind at 400 feet and cruise power, reduce power on base to establish 80-85 mph approach speed with a 15-20 degree approach angle, then rotate to snag the rope with the hook. After rotation, raise the nose to 20-30 degrees, then at 150 feet reduce power and level out at 200 feet. Apply full power after leveling, maintaining level flight until the banner is airborne.
Examination
On September 8, 2008, an examination of the engine and airframe revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Weather
At 0955, CMA reported wind 230 degrees at 6 knots, visibility 9 statute miles, clear sky, temperature 23°C, dew point 17°C, and altimeter 29.77 inHg.