No fatalities

6 Jun 2010: PIPER PA-18-135 — BARNSTORMER FLITE SIGNS INC — North Myrtle Beach, SC

North Myrtle Beach, SC, United States

On 6 Jun 2010, a PIPER PA-18-135 operated by BARNSTORMER FLITE SIGNS INC was involved in an aviation accident near North Myrtle Beach, SC. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed during a climbing turn, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 14 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot performed a 360-degree turn due to an air traffic control spacing request while on final approach. During a climbing right turn, the airplane entered a stalled spin and collided with terrain, resulting in substantial damage to the right wing spar. No pre-impact mechanical anomalies were found.

Incident Overview

A pilot reported that while on final approach to landing, air traffic control requested a spacing adjustment. In response, the pilot elected to execute a 360-degree turn. He initiated a climbing right turn, but the aircraft failed to recover from the bank and entered a stalled spin. The airplane subsequently collided with terrain.

Pilot Account

According to the pilot, the turn was performed to comply with the spacing request. He stated that the airplane "wouldn't come out of the bank and…entered a stalled spin." The pilot further reported that there were no pre-impact failures or malfunctions of the airplane controls or engine.

Investigation Findings

Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector confirmed no evidence of any pre-impact mechanical anomalies. The collision resulted in substantial damage to the right wing spar.

Contributing factors

PilotAirspeed — Not attained/maintained