# NTSB ATL89FA157: Cessna 150K, N6367G, N. Myrtle Beach, SC, June 3, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 3, 1989, 16:40 local (20:40 UTC)
- Place: N. Myrtle Beach, SC
- Location: 33.8220° N, 78.7030° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of North Myrtle Beach, SC, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8220&lon=-78.7030&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 11, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7894
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89FA157
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7894/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89FA157

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S CONFUSION AND DIVERTED ATTENTION REGARDING THE MULTIPLE BANNER RELEASE SYSTEM IN THE COCKPIT RESULTING IN AN INADVERTENT STALL/SPIN INTO THE TERRAIN FROM A LOW ALTITUDE. ALSO CAUSAL WAS THE PILOT ATTEMPTING THE ABRUPT MANEUVER AT THE LOW AIRSPEED AND ALTITUDE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - sign towing equipment - unmarked (cause)
  - maneuver - abrupt, pilot in command (cause)
  - acft/equip,inadequate control location, company/operator management (cause)
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fatigue, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT HAD MADE A MULTIPLE TOW FLIGHT OF 4.1 HOURS WITH FIVE BANNER PICK UPS AND DROPS BEFORE STOPPING FOR FUEL. AFTER REFUELING, HE MADE ONE TOW OF 0.9 HOUR BEFORE RETURNING TO DROP THE BANNER. HE HAD BEEN CLEARED FOR RIGHT TRAFFIC TO DROP THE BANNER ALONGSIDE RUNWAY 23 AT GRAND STRAND. THE BANNER DID NOT DROP AND THE PILOT MADE A RIGHT TURN ACROSS THE INLAND WATERWAY. THE BANNER THEN DROPPED INTO THE WATER. THE AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED TO MAKE A STEEP RIGHT BANK, THEN 'ENTER INTO A RIGHT SPIRAL INTO THE TREES'. AFTER ABOUT 4-5 MINUTES SMOKE WAS OBSERVED AT THE CRASH SITE. ONE BANNER PICK UP HOOK WAS FOUND IN THE WRECKAGE AND ALL FIVE BANNER TOW HOOKS WERE FOUND IN THE OPEN POSITION. THE COCKPIT BANNER RELEASE CONTROLS CONSISTED OF FIVE RINGS ATTACHED TO THE RELEASE CABLES AND WAS MOUNTED ON THE FLOOR IN FRONT OF THE RIGHT SEAT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6367G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6367G-2013-04-29), registration cancelled 2013-04-29, S/N 15071867, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150K
- Registry model: [Cessna 150K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150k) (registry code 2071822) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15071867
- Airframe hours: 8909
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2G 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Operator: Aerial Sign Co. Of Sc, Inc.
- Registered owner: Bert Hall
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 26, 1989, 45 hours before
- Departed: CRE
- Destination: CRE
- Airport: CRE, Grand Strand, runway 23, 5,996 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 634 total, 200 in this make and model, 479 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CRE, 1 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 19890603014059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890603014059A), Jun 3, 1989: Cessna STC150, North Myrtle Be, SC, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Banner failed to release, circled for another try. Banner dropped, aircraft stalled.

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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