# NTSB ATL88LA225: Champion 7GCAA, N9692S, N. Myrtle Beach, SC, August 3, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 3, 1988, 13:10 local (17:10 UTC)
- Place: N. Myrtle Beach, SC
- Coordinates: 33.819023, -78.670562 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8190&lon=-78.6706&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 3, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7796
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL88LA225
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7796/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88LA225

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - sign towing equipment - disabled (cause)
  - maintenance,modification - improper, company maintenance personnel (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, landing
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - sign towing equipment - entangled (cause)
  - precautionary landing - attempted
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Hard landing, landing

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE MADE A LOW PASS OVER THE BANNER STAGING AREA TO DROP A BANNER; THE RELEASE MECHANISM IN THE COCKPIT FAILED TO OPERATE AND THE BANNER REMAINED IN TOW. XWIND CONDITIONS BLEW THE BANNER INTO ANOTHER BANNER ON THE GROUND WHICH WAS AWAITING PICK-UP. THE BANNER-IN-TOW BECAME ENTANGLED IN THE GROUND BANNER AND PULLED IT ALOFT. THE PLT STATED THAT HE THEN ATTEMPTED TO LAND. AT ABOUT 20 FT AGL, HE PULLED THE POWER TO 'SAVE (THE) ENGINE'; THE AIRPLANE 'QUIT FLYING' AND DROPPED TO THE GROUND. THE MAIN LDG GEAR COLLAPSED ON IMPACT. POST-CRASH EXAM OF THE AIRPLANE BY AN FAA INSPECTOR REVEALED THAT THE BANNER RELEASE CABLE HAD SEPARATED AT A NICOPRESS SPLICE. THE OPERATOR HAD SPLICED ADDITIONAL CABLE TO LENGTHEN THE CABLE WHEN IT WAS INSTALLED IN THIS AIRPLANE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9692S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9692S), registered now, S/N 126, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7GCAA
- Registry model: [Champion 7GCAA](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7gcaa) (registry code 21101N8) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 126
- Airframe hours: 3836
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A25 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Operator: Phoenix Flight Signs
- Registered owner: Thrower, Walter Henry
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 22, 1988, 17 hours before
- Airport: CRE, Grand Strand, runway 5, 6,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 1,852 total, 225 in this make and model, 1,696 as pilot in command, 415 in the last 90 days, 126 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CRE

## 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 19880803030129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880803030129A), Aug 3, 1988: Bbavia 7GCA, North Myrtle Be, SC, Substantial damage. Banner failed to release,caught another banner on ground. Pilot cut power. Plane crash landed. Improper tow splice.

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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