Summary
On August 23, 2017, a Bellanca 8GCBC (N181TM) was involved in an incident near Foley, AL. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The ground crew’s incorrect hook up of the banner, which resulted in a nose-over.
The pilot reported that during banner towing operations, he was on approach to drop the banner. He pulled the tow release, but the banner did not release. The banner hit the ground, broke away from the airplane, and the airplane nosed over.
The release mechanism has three hooks, but they typically only use the No. 1 hook. A postaccident examination of the hook release mechanism did not reveal any anomalies that would have prevented the banner from being released. The pilot believed that the ground crew mistakenly set-up hook No.3 to pick up and tow the banner instead of No. 1. Therefore, when he went to release the banner from hook No.1, there was nothing to release.
A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the empennage.
This incident is documented in NTSB report GAA17CA537. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N181TM.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The ground crew’s incorrect hook up of the banner, which resulted in a nose-over.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The pilot reported that during banner towing operations, he was on approach to drop the banner. He pulled the tow release, but the banner did not release. The banner hit the ground, broke away from the airplane, and the airplane nosed over.
The release mechanism has three hooks, but they typically only use the No. 1 hook. A postaccident examination of the hook release mechanism did not reveal any anomalies that would have prevented the banner from being released. The pilot believed that the ground crew mistakenly set-up hook No.3 to pick up and tow the banner instead of No. 1. Therefore, when he went to release the banner from hook No.1, there was nothing to release.
A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the empennage.
The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA17CA537