# NTSB ATL98LA042: Aviat A-1, N49364, Clearwater, FL, February 14, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 14, 1998, 13:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Clearwater, FL - Location: 27.9794° N, 82.7713° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Clearwater, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.9794&lon=-82.7713&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 30, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3968 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL98LA042 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3968/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL98LA042 ## Probable cause failure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed, while maneuvering to pick up a banner, which led to a stall, loss of altitude, and collision with the water. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor) - low altitude flight/maneuver - initiated, pilot in command - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - water ## Analysis According to the pilot, he made a series of 'patterns' to prepare for a banner pickup off of a pontoon boat. He began the pattern at 400 feet mean sea level and descended to 100 feet. On his last pattern, the pilot turned onto the base leg at 100 feet. He stated the airspeed seemed slower than the indicated 65 miles per hour. The pilot stated the left wing then dipped, and the airplane began a descent. The left wingtip struck the water, and the plane cart-wheeled. According to an FAA inspector, the pilot was making a left turn at an altitude of 100 feet when the left wing stalled. The airplane then rotated left, lost altitude, and struck the water. The FAA inspector also noted the airplane was over maximum gross weight. ## Factual narrative On February 14, 1998, about 1330 eastern standard time, a Aviat, Inc. A-1, N49364, impacted the water while attempting to pickup a banner for towing in Clearwater, Florida. The airplane was operated by Aerial Billboard Corporation under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The commercial pilot and passenger were not injured, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight originated from Clearwater, Florida at 1315. According to the pilot, he made a series of "patterns" to prepare for a banner pickup off a pontoon boat. He began the pattern at 400 feet mean sea level (msl) and descended to 100 feet. On his last pattern, the pilot turned onto the base leg at 100 feet, and he stated the airspeed seemed slower than the indicated 65 miles per hour (mph). The pilot stated the left wing then dipped, and the airplane began a descent. The left wingtip struck the water, and the airplane cart-wheeled. According to the FAA, the pilot was making a left turn at an altitude of 100 feet when the left wing stalled. The airplane then rotated left, lost altitude, and struck the water. The FAA inspector also noted the airplane was over maximum gross weight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N49364](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N49364-2017-06-15), registration cancelled 2017-06-15, S/N 1238, built 1993 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Aviat A-1 - Registry model: [Aviat A-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/aviat-a-1) (registry code 2210302) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1238 - Airframe hours: 1135 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-C1G 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 91 - Registered owner: Aerial Billboard Corp - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, January 21, 1998, 40 hours before - Departed: CLW, FL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 825 total, 219 in this make and model, 649 as pilot in command, 90 in the last 90 days, 46 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 8 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: PIE, 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 19980214006079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980214006079A), Feb 14, 1998: Chris A1, Clearwater, FL, Substantial damage. Turning final for banner pickup from pontoon boat. Left wing stalled. Hit water A1 cartwheeled. (-23) pilot was making a left turn from "downwind" to "base" in… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.