MIA98LA217

The pilot was approaching for a banner drop, the power was at a low power setting. The pilot released the banner, at an altitude of about 75 feet, applied full power, and received no response from the engine. He then pumped the throttle and again no response. He made a right turn in an attempt to land on runway 9. The airplane stalled, spun in, and impacted the runway nose down. The pilot state that 'he did not apply carburetor heat.' No discrepancies were found with the engine or airframe.

On August 3, 1998, about 1156 eastern daylight time, a Waco UPF-7, N29927, registered to M and F Flying Inc, crashed near Key West, Florida, while on a Title 14 CFR Part 91 banner towing flight. Visual meteorological conditions were reported and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was destroyed. The airline transport-rated pilot reported minor injuries. The flight had originated from Key West International Airport, Florida, at 1125.

According, to the pilot he departed Key West International Airport, Florida, for a routine banner tow. The pilot stated "he was coming in for the banner drop with the power set at around 1600 RPM for the descent. He descended to around 75 feet and when he passed over the banner site he released the banner." The pilot applied full throttle in an attempt to gain airspeed and altitude for the climb out, but the engine did not respond to throttle input. The pilot then stated that he pumped the throttle, but still got no response. According to the pilot, "he decided to start a right turn to try to land on runway 9...and he was two thirds of the way through the turn when the right wing dropped and the aircraft nosed into the runway from an altitude of about 30 feet."

According to FAA inspector, "the pilot made a tight right turn to try to land on runway 9,stalled the airplane, spun in, and impacted on the runway about 500 feet from the west end, nose down, and on a heading of about 130 degrees. Upon impact on the runway the airplane caught fire."

The pilot stated to FAA inspectors that "he did not apply any carburetor heat on his approach nor when the engine did not respond." Another company pilot stated that "he had flown the aircraft the day before and it was operating normally." Examination of the airplane and engine did not reveal any discrepancies or malfunctions during preflight or postcrash.