What happened
The FAA’s narrative, in sentence case. The FAA writes it in capitals and removes private details.
(-23) On June 15, 2002, Mr. Conner was the pilot-in-command of N9857F, a Cessna 172, and engaged in 14 CFR part 91 banner tow operation. He successfully picked up a banner on this third attempt and was beginning to climb. The aircraft began to sink and he released the banner. The aircraft continued to sink and the wings rocked back and forth. The aircraft collided with the ground left wing first and came to rest on the landing gear. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, exited the aircraft through the door and was not injured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
As the FAA filed it
(-23) ON JUNE 15, 2002, MR. CONNER WAS THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND OF N9857F, A CESSNA 172, AND ENGAGED IN 14 CFR PART 91 BANNER TOW OPERATION. HE SUCCESSFULLY PICKED UP A BANNER ON THIS THIRD ATTEMPT AND WAS BEGINNING TO CLIMB. THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN TO SINK AND HE RELEASED THE BANNER. THE AIRCRAFT CONTINUED TO SINK AND THE WINGS ROCKED BACK AND FORTH. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND LEFT WING FIRST AND CAME TO REST ON THE LANDING GEAR. THE PILOT, WHO WAS THE SOLE OCCUPANT, EXITED THE AIRCRAFT THROUGH THE DOOR AND WAS NOT INJURED. THE AIRCRAFT SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE.
NTSB investigation
The NTSB’s investigation of this event, with its probable cause and findings. Matched to this report by N-number and date.