BANNER TOWING PLT COULD NOT GET SUFFICIENT PWR FROM THE SMA SEL ACFT TO CLB AFTER PICKING UP BANNER RESULTING IN RETURNING TO LAND.

1996-08 · NASA ASRS report 345937

Date: 1996-08 · Aircraft: Any Unknown or Unlisted Aircraft Manufacturer

Anomalies: aircraft-equipment-problem-critical|other-unspecified

Synopsis

BANNER TOWING PLT COULD NOT GET SUFFICIENT PWR FROM THE SMA SEL ACFT TO CLB AFTER PICKING UP BANNER RESULTING IN RETURNING TO LAND.

Narrative

I WAS ASKED TO TOW A FEW BANNERS ON THE HOLIDAYS FOR A COMPANY THAT I HAD TOWED FOR IN THE PAST. I HAD NOT TOWED IN ABOUT 1 1/2 YRS; BUT THOUGHT NO PROB; I HAVE BEEN FLYING CORPORATE FOR THE PAST YR. WHEN I SHOWED UP FOR THE JOB I DID NOT ASK FOR A CHK OUT ON THE NEW ACFT OR A REFRESHER ON TOWING. I DID A NORMAL TKOF ON RWY 25R. PICKED UP THE BANNER AND STARTED TO CLB OUT. IN A SHORT TIME I REALIZED I WAS UNABLE TO GAIN ALT. I CALLED THE TWR; REQUESTED A RETURN AND WAS CLRED TO LAND RWY OF MY CHOICE. I OPTED TO MAKE A NORMAL PATTERN AND TRY TO DROP THE BANNER FOR REUSE. GETTING TOO LOW ON FINAL AND NOT HAVING THE PWR I KEPT THE BANNER OVER A PARKING LOT. THE BANNER HUNG UP ON A FENCE AND I RELEASED IT; LANDED WITHOUT INCIDENT. IN RETROSPECT; AN ACFT CHKOUT AND RECURRENCE FLT ON BANNER TOWING WOULD HAVE HELPED. AFTER LNDG I WAS INFORMED THAT THE TACHOMETER READ OPPOSITE TO ALL OTHER THAT I HAVE EVER USED. IF NOT CAREFUL AND READ INCORRECTLY; YOU COULD DECREASE RPM WHILE NEEDING TO INCREASE IT; GIVING YOU LESS PWR THAN NEEDED TO TOW A BANNER. AN ACFT CHKOUT AGAIN SHOULD HAVE BEEN PERFORMED. JUST BECAUSE YOU DID IT AT ONE TIME DOESN'T MEAN YOU WILL ALWAYS STAY PROFICIENT.

Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.

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