20180824021139I

Synopsis:

A banner tower aircraft while on the downwind leg of his pattern off shore from Miami Beach, Florida banner struck a parasailer with two occupants. The parasailers could not maintain attitude and where recovered by the boat crew. The aircraft returned to the airport.

Details of investigation:

On August 24, 2018 at approximately 3:30 pm eastern daylight saving time (EDT), N223AB a Piper pawnee (PA-25-235) owned and operated by aerial banners inc., 601 sw 77th way hanger 2, pembroke pines, FL 33023-2591. Departed north perry (hwo) airport at approximately 12:47 pm EDT. The pilot picked up an approximately 30 foot banner at approximately 13:08 EDT. The pilot then flew to Miami Beach via a southeasterly heading, along the international coastal water way, then flew a race track patter along Miami Beach, FL from government cut (n 25-46-0 w 080-08-0) to baker haulover cut (n 25-54-0 w 080-08-0) thence flew an outbound leg approximately three miles off shore.

According to the pilot they fly at approximately 600 feet qnh feet racetrack oval pattern towing the banner between government cut and baker haulover cut. According to the pilot his speed was approximately 60 to 65 knots indicated airspeed and this does cause a nose high attitude. According to the management of aerial banners, inc., this flight profile caused the banner along with the rope to fly approximately 50 feet below the aircraft.

Between approximately 3:30 pm EDT and 3: 48 pm EDT, according to the pilot while south bound in the oval racetrack pattern, he observed two parasailer in front of him one to the left which in the pilot?s opinion was a threat to the aircraft, the second parasailer was off to his right and was not a threat to the aircraft. According to the pilot, he adjusted his course to split the difference and give more room to the parasailer to his left.

The pilot believe this is when contact was made with the parasailer?s canopy by the banner trailing behind the Piper pawnee. The pilot?s estimated position of contact with the parasailer is approximately n 25-47-52 W-080-05-35. During this investigation it was apparent that the pilot never knew or saw the parasailer that the banner made contact with.

Parasailer operation, according to the internet add; is owned and operated by south Beach parasail, located at 1601 collins avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139. According to south Beach parasail management, there is a posted video of the incident with a go-pro camera that show two people in the parasail harness; one can hear the engine of the aircraft approach, then the sound of contact with tearing. (Https://www. Facebook.COM/wcandelas/videos/10213935409512491/)

According to photographs sent by south Beach parasail management, there are two hole that were allegedly torn by the Piper pawnee, one approximately four feet in length and another that was two feet in length.

According to south Beach parasail management, no injuries occurred, however, the parasail did descend, due to loss of lift.

At approximately 4:08 pm EDT the Piper pawnee returned to north perry airport (hwo) and dropped the banner and blocked in at 4:16 EDT.

Shortly thereafter, hwo tower contacted aerial banners inc., and advised them that the united states coast guard, district 7, contacted them in regards to this contact incident.

On or about September 11, 2018, aerial banners inc., contacted the FAA investigator and advised that a pitot and static test was conducted and that N223AB altimeter showed to be 75 feet low and still within standards.

The video show the parasailer flying very high. The perception is well over three hundred feet. Assuming the pilot was at 600 feet qnh, the actual altitude of the banner above ground might have been 550 feet qfe, and with the altimeter, error could have been as low as 475 qfe.

The united states coast guard is investigating the parasail boat captain that is involved with this incident.