# NTSB ATL86LA254: Piper PA-25, N9101D, Myrtle Beach, SC, August 27, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 27, 1986, 16:40 local (20:40 UTC)
- Place: Myrtle Beach, SC
- Location: 33.6917° N, 78.8212° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from GRAND STRAND (CRE), within about 3 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6917&lon=-78.8212&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/800) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7190
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86LA254
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7190/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86LA254

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power, other
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Ditching, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - water,rough

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS ABOUT 1/2 HRS INTO A PLANNED 2.0 HR BANNER TOW FLT. ON THE LAST PASS ALONG THE BEACH, AT ABOUT 500 FT AGL, THE ENG POPPED AND LOST PWR. THE PLT TURNED THE ACFT OUT TO SEA AND LANDED IN THE OCEAN. THE PLT SWAM TO SHORE AND THE ACFT SANK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9101D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9101D-2013-05-17), registration cancelled 2013-05-17, S/N 25-2, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-25
- Registry model: [Piper PA-25](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-25) (registry code 7102502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25-2
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Registered owner: Flight Signs International
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Departed: CRE, N. MYRTLE BEACH, SC
- Airport: CRE, Grand Strand

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 1,193 total, 797 in this make and model, 1,072 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 77 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CRE, 10 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19860827046999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860827046999A), Aug 27, 1986: Piper PA25, North Myrtle Be, SC, Destroyed. The pilot reported the engine of the banner tow plane lost power and the aircraft was ditched in the ocean.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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