# NTSB ATL90LA098: Cessna 150H, N22953, N. Myrtle Beach, SC, April 16, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 16, 1990, 12:40 local (16:40 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 December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8231
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90LA098
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8231/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90LA098

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER COURSE REVERSAL PROCEDURE WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL AT A LOW ALTITUDE PRECLUDING A RECOVERY BEFORE WATER IMPACT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING AN AERIAL BANNER TOW FLIGHT THE AIRPLANE STALLED AT LOW ALTITUDE. IT SUBSEQUENTLY IMPACTED THE OCEAN ADJACENT TO THE BEACH IN A STEEP NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. PRIOR TO THE FLIGHT, ON THE SAME MORNING, THE PILOT HAD DISCUSSED WITH ANOTHER BANNER TOW PILOT HIS THEORY OF COMPLETING A COURSE REVERSAL. THE METHOD SUGGESTED INVOLVED A STEEP TURN AT A SPEED THAT WAS NEAR THE STALL SPEED OF THE AIRPLANE. THE SAME PILOT WAS TRAILING THE AIRPLANE WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. HE REPORTED THAT THE WINGS ROCKED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE A TURN WAS INITIATED, DURING WHICH THE STALL OCCURRED. ALSO, HE DID NOT OBSERVE ANY SPEED INCREASE BEFORE THE TURN BEGAN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N22953](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N22953-1993-05-13), registration cancelled 1993-05-13, S/N 15068640 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150H
- Registry model: [Cessna 150H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150h) (registry code 2071818) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15068640
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Fun Flight Air Tours
- Registered owner: Grand Strand Air Services

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,000 total, 450 in this make and model, 30 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MYR, 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 19900416009529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900416009529A), Apr 16, 1990: Cessna STC150, North Myrtle Be, SC, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Stalled trying to make a steep turn banner tow reversal. Dived into ocean. Failed to accelerate and use shallow turn

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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