# NTSB ATL88LA166: Piper J5C, N41333, Gulf Shores, AL, May 6, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 6, 1988, 16:15 local (21:15 UTC)
- Place: Gulf Shores, AL
- Coordinates: 30.269493, -87.700103 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2695&lon=-87.7001&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 2, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7755
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL88LA166
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7755/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88LA166

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, maneuvering
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - sign towing equipment - entangled (contributing factor)
  - abort - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

A WITNESS REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE ENCOUNTERED A 'DOWNDRAFT' WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PICK UP A BANNER. THE MAIN LDG GEAR CAUGHT THE BANNER PICK-UP LINE AND CARRIED THE BANNER ALOFT. THE WITNESS RADIOED THE PLT TO ADVISE HIM OF THE SITUATION, BUT RECEIVED NO RESPONSE. THE AIRPLANE CLIMBED TO ABOUT 200 FT AGL WHILE CONTINUING TO HEAD NORTH INTO THE WIND, THEN BEGAN TO TURN DOWNWIND TO THE RIGHT. THE AIRPLANE NOSE DROPPED AS THE TURN WAS COMPLETED AND THE AIRPLANE ENTERED A SPIN TO THE RIGHT. THE AIRPLANE SUBSEQUENTLY IMPACTED THE TERRAIN IN A NOSE-DOWN ATTITUDE. THE WITNESS ESTIMATED THAT THE WIND WAS GUSTING UP TO 25 KNOTS FROM THE NORTH AT THE TIME. THE PLT WAS REPORTEDLY NOT WEARING HIS SEAT BELT, AND NO SHOULDER HARNESS WAS INSTALLED IN THE AIRPLANE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N41333](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N41333-2014-08-28), registration cancelled 2014-08-28, S/N 5-1309, built 1941 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J5C
- Registry model: [Piper J5C](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j5c) (registry code 7100712) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 5-1309
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Operator: American Banners, Inc.
- Registered owner: A & K Flying Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: AL15, Jack Edwards, runway 27, 5,400 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, unknown; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,719 total, 100 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 14 knots, gusting 23
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PNS, 27 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 19880506012989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880506012989A), May 6, 1988: Piper J5C, Gulf Shores, AL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Aircraft crashed on climbout while towing a banner. Cause is undetermined.

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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