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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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NTSB Report

September 3, 2004 · Cessna 305A · N5208G

Lawrence, MA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 3, 2004
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Lawrence, MA
Aircraft
Cessna 305A
Tail Number
N5208G
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC04CA202

As the pilot initiated the banner pick up, moderate turbulence was encountered, and the airplane began to descend. The turbulence encounter lasted momentarily, and all of the pilot's visual cues indicated that the banner towline was picked up normally. As the airplane was climbing out, the pilot felt the airplane swerve to the right, and observed that the banner towline was hooked around the right main landing gear assembly. Realizing that the airplane was subjected to increased drag, the pilot lowered the nose, and performed a forced landing to a grass field. As the airplane neared the ground, the banner touched down first, and induced more drag on the airplane. The pilot added additional power to compensate; however, the airplane touched down hard, and continued down an embankment, where it came to rest inverted. The winds reported at the airport, about the time of the accident, were from 270 degrees at 11 knots, gusting to 16 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadvertent pickup of a banner towline with the airplanes main landing gear after encountering gusting wind conditions. A factor related to the accident was the gusting wind conditions.

Full Narrative

On September 3, 2004, at 1415 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 305A, N5208G, was substantially damaged during a forced landing, after picking up a banner at the Lawrence Municipal Airport (LWM), Lawrence, Massachusetts. The certificated commercial pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local banner-tow flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. As the pilot initiated the banner pick up, moderate turbulence was encountered, and the airplane began to descend. The turbulence encounter lasted momentarily, and all of the pilot's visual cues indicated that the banner towline was picked up normally. As the airplane was climbing out, about 300 feet above the ground, the pilot looked over his left shoulder, and observed the banner leave the ground. At that moment, the pilot felt the airplane swerve to the right, and observed that the banner towline was hooked around the right main landing gear assembly. Realizing that the airplane was subjected to increased drag, the pilot lowered the nose, and performed a forced landing to a grass field. As the airplane neared the ground, the banner touched down first, and induced more drag on the airplane. The pilot added additional power to compensate; however, the airplane touched down hard, and continued down an embankment, where it came to rest inverted. The winds reported at the airport, about the time of the accident, were from 270 degrees at 11 knots, gusting to 16 knots.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:15 EDT
Nearest AirportLawrence Muni (0nm)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 305A
Tail NumberN5208G
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-470 · Reciprocating · 213
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 73 · Second Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 11 kt, gusting 16 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F
Altimeter30.19 inHg
Observation Time17:54
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data