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NTSB Report

August 22, 2018 · Champion 8GCBC No Series · N88287

Elberta, AL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 22, 2018
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Elberta, AL
Aircraft
Champion 8GCBC No Series (1974)
Tail Number
N88287
Operator
Coastal Air Sign
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
GAA18CA503

The pilot in the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during a banner towing operation, the ground crew attempted to connect the banner to the hook, but the banner did not connect and became caught on the tailwheel. The pilot made several approaches over the field to dislodge the banner. He reported that, during his last attempt to dislodge the banner, he moved the throttle to idle and made a normal descent to drop the banner. The banner remained caught on the tailwheel, and he stopped the descent and then moved the throttle from idle to full power. However, the engine sputtered, and the power did not increase. He then visually and physically confirmed that the mixture was in the full-rich position and that the primer was in the closed-and-locked position. He attempted moving the throttle from idle to full power two more times with no subsequent change in engine power. The pilot subsequently made a forced landing on the southwest corner of the field, and the airplane collided with uneven terrain and trees. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. During a postaccident interview, the pilot reported that, during the low-power setting approaches to release the banner, he did not use carburetor heat. The pilot reported that the temperature about the time of the accident was 80°F. The METAR at the nearest airport reported that the dew point about the time of the accident was 72°F. The relative humidity was about 77%. The atmospheric conditions at the time of the accident were conducive to the accumulation of serious carburetor icing. Federal Aviation Administration Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin CE-09-35 recommends the use of carburetor heat when operating in conditions of visible moisture or high humidity while on approach with low-power settings. The pilot's failure to use carburetor heat likely resulted in the accumulation of carburetor icing during the low-power setting approaches and led to the partial loss of engine power.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to use carburetor heat during a low-power setting approach in conditions conducive to carburetor icing, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power.

Full Narrative

The pilot in the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during a banner towing operation, the ground crew attempted to connect the banner to the hook, but the banner did not connect and became affixed to the tailwheel. The pilot made several approaches over the banner field to dislodge the banner. He reported that during his last attempt to dislodge the banner, he moved the throttle to idle and made a normal descent to drop the banner. The banner remained affixed to the tailwheel, and he stopped his descent, and then he moved the throttle from idle to full power. The engine sputtered with no increase in engine power. He then visually and physically confirmed that the mixture was in the full rich position, and that the primer was in the closed and locked position. He attempted two more iterations of moving the throttle from idle to full power, with no subsequent change to engine power. The pilot made a forced landing on the southwest corner of the field, and the airplane collided with uneven terrain and trees. The airplane sustained substantial to both wings and the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that the temperature about the time of the accident was 80°F. The METAR at the nearest airport reported that the dew point about the time of the accident was 72°F. The relative humidity was about 77 percent. During a post-accident interview, the pilot reported that he did not use carburetor heat during the banner towing operation. He reported that during the multiple patterns to release the banner, carburetor heat was not used during the low power setting approaches to release the banner. According to the FAA Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin CE-09-35, the use of carburetor heat is recommended when operating in conditions of visible moisture or high humidity, while on approach with low power settings. The FAA Carburetor Icing Probability Chart shows that when operating at idle, with the above-mentioned atmospheric conditions, that the likelihood for carburetor icing specified a serious icing probability.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:00 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftChampion 8GCBC No Series
Tail NumberN88287
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorCoastal Air Sign
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360 · Reciprocating · 180
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 46 · Second Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind330° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter30.06 inHg
Observation Time15:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data