SELBYVILLE, DE, USA
N4004J
CESSNA 150G
THE ACFT IMPACTED TREES WHILE ATTEMPTING TO RELEASE A BANNER AT THE DROP ZONE. THE ACFT WAS REPORTEDLY EQUIPPED WITH SEPARATE TOWING AND RELEASE MECHANISMS, SO THAT UP TO FOUR BANNERS COULD BE TOWED IN SUCCESSION WITHOUT THE ACFT HAVING TO LAND. THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE RELEASE MECHANISM FOR THE BANNER IN TOW DURING THE ACCIDENT HAD FAILED TO RELEASE. POST-CRASH EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF A MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION; WHEN THE SUSPECT MECHANISM WAS ACTUATED AFTER THE CRASH, IT FUNCTIONED PROPERLY. EXAMINATION ALSO REVEALED THAT ONE OF THE OTHER MECHANISMS WAS IN THE RELEASE POSITION. AFTER THE ATTEMPTED BANNER DROP, THE PLT REPORTEDLY BEGAN A CLIMB WITHOUT CHECKING TO SEE IF THE BANNER HAD RELEASED, AND DID NOT USE THE CLIMB PROCEDURE NECESSARY FOR A BANNER IN TOW.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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