NYC01LA146

As the airplane departed from the runway, the pilot deployed the tow hook and climbed to 150 feet. The pilot then "sidestepped" to the right of the runway to pick up the banner, which was set up on the grass about half way down the runway. The pilot "crossed the pickup rope at too slow of an airspeed, approximately 55-60 MPH, versus a normal target speed of approximately 70 to 80 MPH." The pilot then pitched the airplane upward, catching the rope with the tow hook, and soon realized that "there were problems in climbing out." After about 5 seconds, the pilot considered releasing the banner, but decided against the idea, due to releasing the banner on a crossing runway. After clearing the runway area, the pilot released the banner, about 100 feet above the ground, "and in an incipient stall attitude." Unable to climb, and not enough altitude to gain any additional airspeed, the pilot began to raise and lower the nose of the airplane to avoid a stall. As the pilot maneuvered the airplane to an open parking lot for a forced landing, the airplane struck power lines and impacted a utility pole, shearing off the right wing. The airplane descended to the ground, and came to rest upright.

On June 14, 2001, about 1210 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 150J, N61138, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain during a banner pick-up near West Mifflin, Pennsylvania. The certificated commercial pilot sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local banner-tow flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

According to the pilot, this was his second banner tow operation of the day. As the airplane departed from runway 31, the pilot deployed the tow hook and climbed to 150 feet. The pilot then "sidestepped" to the right of the runway to pick up the banner, which was set up on the grass about half way down the runway. In the initial climb, the pilot "throttled back" because on the previous banner pickup, he realized that he had "more than enough airspeed." However, on this attempt, "I crossed the pickup rope at too slow of an airspeed, approximately 55-60 MPH, versus a normal target speed of approximately 70 to 80 MPH." The pilot pitched the airplane upward, catching the rope with the tow hook, and soon realized that "there were problems in climbing out." The pilot reached down and placed his hand on the release lever as a precaution, but continued the climb. After about 5 seconds, the pilot considered releasing the banner, but decided against the idea, due to releasing the banner on a crossing runway. After clearing the runway area, the pilot released the banner, about 100 feet above the ground, "and in an incipient stall attitude." Unable to climb, and not enough altitude to gain any additional airspeed, the pilot began to raise and lower the nose of the airplane to avoid a stall. As the pilot maneuvered the airplane to an open parking lot for a forced landing, the airplane struck power lines and impacted a utility pole, shearing off the right wing. The airplane descended to the ground, and came to rest upright.

A Federal Aviation Administration inspector estimated that about 25 gallons of fuel was on board the airplane at the time of the accident.

The recorded weather at AGC, about the time of the accident, was winds from 180 degrees at 8 knots, and a temperature of 82 degrees Fahrenheit.