# NTSB NYC08CA141: Piper PA-25-260, N169AB, Opa Locka, FL, March 17, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 17, 2008, 16:49 local (20:49 UTC) - Place: Opa Locka, FL - Coordinates: 25.906944, -80.278335 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.9069&lon=-80.2783&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 30, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 67683 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC08CA141 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67683/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08CA141 ## Probable cause The entanglement of the hook rope with the rudder horn during banner pickup. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Piper PA-25-260, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md?model=7102508), [All aircraft, 267 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md) - [Flight control system: rudder control system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Damaged/degraded (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-25-260, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720/cases.md?model=7102508), [All aircraft, 93 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-25-260, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7102508), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Piper PA-25-260, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7102508), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis After a banner pickup, the pilot of the PA-25-260 felt the "left rudder pedal become stiff" after the banner came off of the ground. The pilot looked back at the tail of the airplane and verified that the "hook rope" had caught the towrope and not the tail wheel of the airplane. After circling to the right in the banner pattern, the pilot decided to release the banner in order to "free up the rudder." He flew over the drop zone but was unable to line the airplane up so he activated the banner release handle over a grassy area that was free from obstructions or people, but the release was not successful. The pilot still had minimal rudder control and the airplane wanted to turn to the right. He then decided to land the airplane. After lining up with another grassy area he retarded the throttle and "stalled" the airplane into a "three point landing." The airplane then touched down, veered to the right, and impacted a berm substantially damaging the airplane. Post accident examination by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the hook rope was wrapped around the rudder horn. ## Factual narrative After a banner pickup, the pilot of the PA-25-260 felt the "left rudder pedal become stiff" after the banner came off of the ground. The pilot looked back at the tail of the airplane and verified that the "hook rope" had caught the towrope and not the tail wheel of the airplane. After circling to the right in the banner pattern, the pilot decided to release the banner in order to "free up the rudder." He flew over the drop zone but was unable to line the airplane up so he activated the banner release handle over a grassy area that was free from obstructions or people, but the release was not successful. The pilot still had minimal rudder control and the airplane wanted to turn to the right. He then decided to land the airplane. After lining up with another grassy area he retarded the throttle and "stalled" the airplane into a "three point landing." The airplane then touched down, veered to the right, and impacted a berm substantially damaging the airplane. Post accident examination by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the hook rope was wrapped around the rudder horn. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N169AB](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N169AB), registered now, S/N 25-4517, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-25-260 - Registry model: [Piper PA-25-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-25-260) (registry code 7102508) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 25-4517 - Airframe hours: 4476.6 - Engines: Lycoming O-540 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Banner tow, Part 91 - Operator: Hiott's Flight Service - Registered owner: Aerial Banners Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 2008 - Departed: HWO, Hollywood, FL - Destination: OPF, Opa Locka, FL - Airport: OPF, Opa Locka Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 33; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 1, 2007; seat: front; flight hours: 1,430 total, 700 in this make and model, 1,300 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 17 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,100 ft broken - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: opf ## 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 20080317836759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080317836759A), Mar 17, 2008: Piper PA25260, Miami, FL, Substantial damage. (-23) On March 17, 2008, on about 1649 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-25-260 aircraft N169AB registered to aerial banners inc. operated by hiott's flight… ## Other investigations on N169AB (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 ERA13CA280](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13CA280), May 31, 2013: Piper PA-25-260 (N169AB), Hollywood, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. 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.