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NTSB Report
May 17, 1986 · Cessna 150G · N4004J
Selbyville, DE
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 17, 1986
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Selbyville, DE
Aircraft
Cessna 150G
Tail Number
N4004J
Operator
Atlantic Coastal Aerial Advt
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
BFO86LA026
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.
Full Narrative
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.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:35 EDT
Nearest AirportWarrington Airport (3nm SSE)
Runway14
Runway Length2250 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 150G
Tail NumberN4004J
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorAtlantic Coastal Aerial Advt
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · 0320-E2A · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 26 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO