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NTSB Report
June 19, 1987 · Piper PA-25 · N6078Z
Myrtle Beach, SC
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 19, 1987
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Myrtle Beach, SC
Aircraft
Piper PA-25
Tail Number
N6078Z
Operator
Phoenix Flight Signs
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL87LA175
THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED A STRONG DOWNDRAFT IN A THUNDERSTORM AND IMPACTED THE WATER DURING A BEACHSIDE BANNER TOWING OPERATION. THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE HAD OBSERVED THUNDERSTORMS DEVELOPING INLAND ABOUT 1/2 HR PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT AND THAT HIS ACFT WAS 'OVERTAKEN' BY THE STORMS BEFORE HE COULD RETURN TO HIS BASE. HE ADDED FULL POWER AND RELEASED THE BANNER WHEN HE ENCOUNTERED THE DOWNDRAFT, BUT WAS UNABLE TO ARREST THE HIGH SINK RATE THAT DEVELOPED. THE PLT WAS ASKED IF HE WAS FAMILIAR WITH THE THUNDERSTORM AVOIDANCE PROCEDURES RECOMMENDED IN THE AIRMAN'S INFORMATION MANUAL. THE PLT REPLIED THAT HE WAS AWARE OF THEM, BUT THAT HE COULDN'T SHUT DOWN BANNER TOWING OPERATIONS JUST BECAUSE A THUNDERSTORM WAS WITHIN 10 MILES OF HIS OPERATIONS AREA.
Full Narrative
THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED A STRONG DOWNDRAFT IN A THUNDERSTORM AND IMPACTED THE WATER DURING A BEACHSIDE BANNER TOWING OPERATION. THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE HAD OBSERVED THUNDERSTORMS DEVELOPING INLAND ABOUT 1/2 HR PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT AND THAT HIS ACFT WAS 'OVERTAKEN' BY THE STORMS BEFORE HE COULD RETURN TO HIS BASE. HE ADDED FULL POWER AND RELEASED THE BANNER WHEN HE ENCOUNTERED THE DOWNDRAFT, BUT WAS UNABLE TO ARREST THE HIGH SINK RATE THAT DEVELOPED. THE PLT WAS ASKED IF HE WAS FAMILIAR WITH THE THUNDERSTORM AVOIDANCE PROCEDURES RECOMMENDED IN THE AIRMAN'S INFORMATION MANUAL. THE PLT REPLIED THAT HE WAS AWARE OF THEM, BUT THAT HE COULDN'T SHUT DOWN BANNER TOWING OPERATIONS JUST BECAUSE A THUNDERSTORM WAS WITHIN 10 MILES OF HIS OPERATIONS AREA.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:03 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-25
Tail NumberN6078Z
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorPhoenix Flight Signs
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-A2B · Reciprocating · 150
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 27 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 6 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 3000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time20:18
Weather SourceWFAC