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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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April 1, 1989 · Cessna 150J · N61315

Bermuda Dunes, CA

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 1, 1989
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Bermuda Dunes, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 150J
Tail Number
N61315
Operator
Desert Air Ads
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX89LA143

DURING A BANNER TOW OPERATION, TWO BANNERS WERE SET ON THE GROUND FOR PICKUP. JUST PRIOR TO PICKUP BY ONE OF THE AIRPLANES, A GUST OF WIND BLEW ONE BANNER ON TOP OF THE OTHER . THE AIRPLANE PICKED UP BOTH BANNERS WITHOUT THE PILOT KNOWING. THE GROUND PERSONNEL NOTIFIED THE PILOT WHO STARTED A TURN BACK TO THE AIRPORT TO RELEASE THE BANNERS. HOWEVER, THE PILOT COULD NOT MAINTAIN ALTITUDE. THE PILOT RELEASED THE BANNERS AT LOW ALTITUDE AND SPEED AND WAS UNABLE TO CLIMB. THE PILOT OPTED TO LAND THE AIRPLANE IN AN OPEN FIELD. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A FENCE AND NOSED OVER.

NTSB Probable Cause

IMPROPER ASSISTANCE BY GROUND PERSONNEL WHO INADVERTENTLY OVERLOADED THE AIRPLANE AND THE PILOT'S DELAY IN JETTISONING THE LOAD.

Full Narrative

DURING A BANNER TOW OPERATION, TWO BANNERS WERE SET ON THE GROUND FOR PICKUP. JUST PRIOR TO PICKUP BY ONE OF THE AIRPLANES, A GUST OF WIND BLEW ONE BANNER ON TOP OF THE OTHER . THE AIRPLANE PICKED UP BOTH BANNERS WITHOUT THE PILOT KNOWING. THE GROUND PERSONNEL NOTIFIED THE PILOT WHO STARTED A TURN BACK TO THE AIRPORT TO RELEASE THE BANNERS. HOWEVER, THE PILOT COULD NOT MAINTAIN ALTITUDE. THE PILOT RELEASED THE BANNERS AT LOW ALTITUDE AND SPEED AND WAS UNABLE TO CLIMB. THE PILOT OPTED TO LAND THE AIRPLANE IN AN OPEN FIELD. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A FENCE AND NOSED OVER.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:15 PST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 150J
Tail NumberN61315
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorDesert Air Ads
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2D · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 63 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 30 kt, gusting 50 kt
Visibility30 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

External Links

Appendix: Source Data