# NTSB ATL87LA175: Piper PA-25, N6078Z, Myrtle Beach, SC, June 19, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 19, 1987, 16:03 local (20:03 UTC)
- Place: Myrtle Beach, SC
- Coordinates: 33.819297, -78.670249 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8193&lon=-78.6702&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 7, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7454
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87LA175
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7454/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87LA175

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering
  - weather condition - thunderstorm
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight into known adverse weather - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED A STRONG DOWNDRAFT IN A THUNDERSTORM AND IMPACTED THE WATER DURING A BEACHSIDE BANNER TOWING OPERATION. THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE HAD OBSERVED THUNDERSTORMS DEVELOPING INLAND ABOUT 1/2 HR PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT AND THAT HIS ACFT WAS 'OVERTAKEN' BY THE STORMS BEFORE HE COULD RETURN TO HIS BASE. HE ADDED FULL POWER AND RELEASED THE BANNER WHEN HE ENCOUNTERED THE DOWNDRAFT, BUT WAS UNABLE TO ARREST THE HIGH SINK RATE THAT DEVELOPED. THE PLT WAS ASKED IF HE WAS FAMILIAR WITH THE THUNDERSTORM AVOIDANCE PROCEDURES RECOMMENDED IN THE AIRMAN'S INFORMATION MANUAL. THE PLT REPLIED THAT HE WAS AWARE OF THEM, BUT THAT HE COULDN'T SHUT DOWN BANNER TOWING OPERATIONS JUST BECAUSE A THUNDERSTORM WAS WITHIN 10 MILES OF HIS OPERATIONS AREA.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6078Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6078Z-2013-04-25), registration cancelled 2013-04-25, S/N 25-90, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-25
- Registry model: [Piper PA-25-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-25-150) (registry code 7102503) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2590
- Airframe hours: 4042
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Phoenix Flight Signs
- Registered owner: Phoenix Flight Signs
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1987, 86 hours before
- Departed: CRE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 1,155 total, 358 in this make and model, 1,027 as pilot in command, 178 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CRE, 6 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 19870619020979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870619020979A), Jun 19, 1987: Piper PA25150, North Myrtle Be, SC, Destroyed. Encountered strong downdraft during banner tow in heavy rain near thunderstorm. Released banner. Hit water and sank

## Other investigations on N6078Z (1)

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.

- [NTSB DEN71DTE18](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN71DTE18), Jun 25, 1971: Piper PA-25 (N6078Z), Idalia, CO, substantial damage

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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