# NTSB LAX93LA349: Culver LFA, N41729, Sonoma, CA, September 11, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 11, 1993, 09:25 local (16:25 UTC) - Place: Sonoma, CA - Coordinates: 38.240089, -122.460067 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2401&lon=-122.4601&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report August 1, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28472 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93LA349 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28472/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA349 ## Probable cause the airport management's failure to provide notice of the banner operation and to close the runway. An additional cause was the banner operator's failure to ensure that the runway on which he placed his banner equipment was closed. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb - object - wire,static - airport operations - improper, airport personnel (cause) - airport operations - improper, other person (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The pilot commenced taking off from runway 34 and was unaware that a tow plane's banner had been suspended across the runway. Seconds before impact, the pilot observed the obstruction and attempted to avoid it by abruptly pulling up. The airplane's landing gear snagged the pickup wire and the airplane crashed into an adjacent open field. Airport management gave the banner company personnel permission to locate the banner on the runway and failed to close the runway. The banner company personnel failed to abide by its FAA waiver for banner operations which limited banner placement to at least '500 feet from any active runway, person ... and aircraft.' ## Factual narrative On September 11, 1993, at 0925 Pacific daylight time, a Culver LFA, N41729, operated by William Lawson, collided with a banner pickup line which had been strung across the northern portion of runway 16/34 at the Sonoma Valley, California, uncontrolled airport. The collision occurred as the airplane was taking off from runway 34. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged. The private pilot and passenger received serious injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the mishap. The pilot reported that prior to his takeoff roll he did not observe any obstructions on the runway. The pilot stated that seconds before impact he observed the obstacle and attempted to avoid it by abruptly pulling up. The airplane's landing gear snagged the pick up wire, and the plane crashed into an adjacent open field. A witness reported that the banner pickup equipment had been placed across the north end of runway 34. The equipment consisted of, in part, two ten-foot tall poles which were marked with two flags and orange cones. The equipment was positioned on both sides of the runway. The operator of the banner tow company reported that prior to the accident he had a meeting with the airport manager and was told he could set up his tow equipment on runway 16/34. The operator also reported that runway 16/34 was marked with an "R." He said since he observed airplanes using runway 7/25, he believed runway 16/34 was not active. The banner operator further reported that he had been issued a FAA waiver permitting banner operations. Item number 17 on the waiver required, in pertinent part, that his banner pickup and drop area should be located at least 500 feet from any active runway, person, building, parked automobiles, and aircraft. The accident pilot reported that he based his airplane at the airport, and he was familiar with the use of all runways. The pilot had previously received permission to use the restricted runway. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N41729](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N41729), registered now, S/N 450, built 1941 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CULVER LFA - Registry model: [Culver LFA](https://openairdocs.org/model/culver-lfa) (registry code 8730204) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 450 - Airframe hours: 1426 - Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: William H. Lawson - Registered owner: William H. Lawson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 1993, 41 hours before - Destination: O28, WILLITS, CA - Airport: 0Q3, Sonoma Valley, runway 34, 1,550 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,039 total, 586 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 10 knots - Visibility: 25 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F ## 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 19930911033759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930911033759A), Sep 11, 1993: Supac LFA, Schellville/Son, CA, Substantial damage. Began takeoff. Saw banner across runway. Lifted to avoid but wheel caught wire. Crashed. Mgr failed close runway. ## Other investigations on N41729 (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 DEN65A0057](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN65A0057), Feb 18, 1965: Culver LFA (N41729), Maricopa, AZ, substantial damage 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.