ERA11LA411

The pilot was attempting to pick up a banner when the engine lost power and the airplane stalled. The pilot partially recovered from the stall; however, the left wing struck the ground and the airplane collided with a ditch. The wings and fuselage received substantial damage. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of a mechanical malfunction. At the time of the accident, the airplane was not being operated in conditions conducive to carburetor icing. The reason for the power loss could not be determined.

On July 20, 2011, about 1430 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 150M, N8576U, was substantially damaged following a loss of engine power and collision with terrain at Addington Field Airport (EKX), Elizabethtown, Kentucky. The commercial pilot was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Pro Air Enterprises, Inc. under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, as a banner tow flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The flight was originating at the time of the accident and was destined for Louisville, Kentucky (LOU). The pilot reported the following. Shortly after takeoff, he was attempting to pick up a banner. The engine lost power and the airplane stalled. He made a partial recovery from the stall; however, the left wing struck the ground and the airplane collided with a ditch. An inspector with the Federal Aviation Administration responded to the accident site and examined the wreckage. The left and right wings and the fuselage received structural damage. There was evidence of spilled fuel at the accident site. Fuel was present in the carburetor and gascolator. All spark plugs appeared normal. No visible obstructions in the intake or exhaust except for dirt from the ground impact. Compression was observed an all cylinders when the crankshaft was rotated. Both magnetos produced spark to all leads when rotated. The inspector did not find evidence of an anomaly or failure that would explain the loss of engine power.