# NTSB MIA86FA135: Cessna 172D, N2321U, St. Petersburg, FL, April 26, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 26, 1986, 15:05 local (20:05 UTC)
- Place: St. Petersburg, FL
- Coordinates: 27.739397, -82.690536 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.7394&lon=-82.6905&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31498
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA86FA135
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31498/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA86FA135

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, climb
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - loose gravel/sandy

## Analysis

WHILE ON SECOND ATTEMPT TO PICK UP AN AERIAL ADVERTISING BANNER THE FLIGHT CAPTURED THE BANNER AND AS IT PULLED UP TO CLIMB OUT THE PILOT STATED THE AIRCRAFT WOULD NOT CLIMB. THE AIRCRAFT THEN STALLED AND CRASHED TO THE GROUND IN A NOSE LOW LEFT WING LOW ATTITUDE WITH THE BANNER STILL ATTACHED. WITNESSES STATED AS THE AIRCRAFT APPROACHED TO PICK UP THE BANNER IT APPEARED TO BE FLYING SLOW. THE BANNER PICKED UP CONTAINED 41 LETTERS ACCORDING TO THE LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENT. THE PILOT STATED HE NORMALLY NEVER CARRIES MORE THAN 38 LETTERS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2321U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2321U-2011-08-16), registration cancelled 2011-08-16, S/N 17249921, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172D
- Registry model: [Cessna 172D](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172d) (registry code 2072410) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17249921
- Airframe hours: 3135
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Nite Rider Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 20, 1985, 85 hours before
- Airport: SPG, Albert Whitted Municipal, runway 18, 2,800 × 150 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,200 total, 700 in this make and model, 70 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SPG

## 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 19860426013919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860426013919A), Apr 26, 1986: Cessna 172D, St Petersburg, FL, Substantial damage. Aircraft stalled during banner pickup and impacted beside runway.

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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