# NTSB CEN12CA030: Cessna 172N, N2401E, Covington, LA, October 17, 2011

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: October 17, 2011, 18:20 local (23:20 UTC)
- Place: Covington, LA
- Coordinates: 30.444999, -89.988891 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.4450&lon=-89.9889&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 27, 2011
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 82111
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12CA030
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/82111/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82111
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA030

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed during a banner drop, resulting in an aerodynamic stall.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 150 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md)
- [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 134 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

Following a local banner towing flight, the pilot returned to the airport to drop the banner. With the flaps extended 10 degrees, the pilot maneuvered the airplane about 200 feet above the runway and slowed to an airspeed of 60 knots. After attempting to release the banner, the pilot added full engine power and felt a surge or deceleration from the engine. As the pilot reached down and pulled the banner release handle a second time, thinking the banner had not released, the airplane’s left wing and nose dropped. The pilot was able to recover to a level attitude; however, before the descent could be arrested, the airplane impacted the ground and nosed over. The airplane’s left wing and fuselage sustained substantial damage during the impact. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

Following a local banner towing flight, the pilot returned to the airport to drop the banner. With the flaps extended 10 degrees, the pilot maneuvered the airplane about 200 feet above the runway and slowed to an airspeed of 60 knots. After releasing the banner, the pilot added full engine power and felt a “surge/deceleration.” As the pilot reached down and pulled the banner release handle a second time, thinking the banner had not released, the airplane’s left wing and nosed dropped. The pilot was able to recover to wings level; however, before the descent could be arrested, the airplane impacted the ground and nosed over. The airplane’s left wing and fuselage sustained substantial damage during the impact. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2401E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2401E-2017-10-19), registration cancelled 2017-10-19, S/N 17271268, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17271268
- Airframe hours: 9097
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Banner tow, Part 91
- Operator: Air Reldan Inc
- Registered owner: Air Reldan Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, August 14, 2011
- Departed: L31, Covington, LA
- Destination: L31, Covington, LA
- Airport: L31, Saint Tammany Regional, runway 18, 2,999 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 21, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 6,735 total, 567 in this make and model, 5 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.84 inHg
- Observed at: ASD, 16 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 20111017023859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20111017023859A), Oct 17, 2011: Cessna 172N, Abita Springs, LA, Substantial damage. Pilot was dropping banner at KL31 on a southbound heading east of runway 18/36 at approximately 200 feet AGL. After releasing the banner the pilot applied full…

## Other investigations on N2401E (1)

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.

- [NTSB LAX99LA030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX99LA030), Nov 13, 1998: Cessna 172N (N2401E), Prescott, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of the flight instructor to provide adequate supervision of the student pilot during a simulated emergency landing.

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 23, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82111. 213 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 170 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40358437&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Record of Conversation (FAA Inspector) (item 2, .PDF, 43 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40358439&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(FAA%20Inspector)-Master.PDF

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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