ATL95LA124

While practicing the pickup phase of a banner towing operation, on a private strip, in Conway, south carolina, the pilot lost control of the aircraft and collided with a ditch. The pilot stated that he heard a 'pop'. The aircraft then entered a steep nose dive. The pilot also stated that he had lost elevator effectiveness. The dive shallowed out before the aircraft collided with a ditch and nosed over. There were no mechanical problems found with the aircraft.

On July 2, 1995, at 0938 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-18-150, N8048D, collided with a ditch and nosed over after the pilot lost control of the airplane near Conway, South Carolina. The banner tow flight operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage, the pilot received minor injuries. The flight departed Conway, at 0830 hours.

Reportedly, the pilot was practicing the pickup phase of the banner operation, when he heard a "pop". The pilot stated that he then lost elevator effectiveness, and lost control of the airplane. The pilot also stated that he thought he had a mechanical problem. The aircraft went into a deep nose dive, and then shallowed out before colliding with a ditch and nosing over. No mechanical problem with the aircraft was found.