History
On August 12, 2008, at approximately 09:00 UTC (11:00 local time), a Piper PA-18-150, registration I-ECID, operated by Crazy Wing srl, departed from an airstrip in Val Vibrata, Corropoli, Teramo province, for a banner towing operation. After takeoff, the aircraft hooked a banner positioned alongside the runway. Witnessed by the airstrip manager, the aircraft initially flew parallel to the runway, then made a slow left turn towards the coast. During this phase, the aircraft did not appear to maintain a normal climb rate, and the banner was released. Following the release, the aircraft initiated a right turn, during which it crashed and caught fire.
Injuries
The pilot, who was the sole occupant, died in the accident.
Aircraft Information
The aircraft was a Piper PA-18-150 (serial number 18-4549), built in 1955, with total airframe hours of 9074 hours 34 minutes at the time of the accident. It was equipped with a Lycoming O-320-A2B engine of 150 hp. The last airworthiness review was on July 29, 2008. The last annual inspection was recorded on August 3, 2007, at 8978 hours 39 minutes, but the aircraft had accumulated additional hours since then.
Investigation Findings
The investigation determined that the cause of the accident was an inadequate management of the aircraft's speed and attitude by the pilot during a critical phase of flight, further aggravated by the configuration with flaps extended and the action of the banner towing carriage which, due to the absence of the release retaining cable, likely hindered the banner release maneuver.
Damage
The aircraft was completely destroyed by the post-impact fire. No damage to third parties on the ground was reported.
Pilot Experience
The pilot held a valid Commercial Pilot License (CPL) with SEP, MEP, IR, and FI ratings. His total flying experience as of November 23, 2006, was 393 hours 7 minutes. No conclusive records of flight activity between that date and the accident were available, nor was it possible to document his experience specifically in banner towing.