N3731J

On June 3, 1998, at 1637 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 150G, N3731J, was substantially damaged when it collided with trees during a banner pick-up from a private grass strip near Selbyville, Delaware. The certificated commercial pilot sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The banner towing flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

According to the pilot, when he picked up a banner, a gust of wind caught the left wing and banked the airplane to the right. Despite his efforts of applying left rudder and left aileron, the airplane continued to the right, into the tree line that surrounded the grass strip. He dropped the banner and tried to climb, but the airplane descended into the trees, and impacted the ground.

The pilot reported over 313 hours of total flight experience including 130 hours in make and model. He had over 50 hours of banner towing experience. The closest weather reporting station about 10 miles west of the accident site, reported the wind at the time of the accident as 310 degrees at 12 knots, with wind gusts to 18 knots.

The pilot said that he estimated the wind speed to be 15 knots with wind gusts to 25 knots. He said that there was no mechanical malfunction with the airplane or the engine.