# NTSB NYC90LA155: Cessna 305A, N5208G, Newburyport, MA, July 7, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 7, 1990, 10:50 local (14:50 UTC)
- Place: Newburyport, MA
- Location: 42.7954° N, 70.8394° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at PLUM ISLAND (2B2), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7954&lon=-70.8394&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 2, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36685
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90LA155
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36685/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90LA155

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT IN COMMAND TO FOLLOW PROCEDURES FOR LANDING WITH A BANNER STILL ATTACHED, CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE IMPROPER MODIFICATION OF BANNER RELEASE MECHANISM.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing
  - sign towing equipment - failure,total
  - maintenance,design change - improper, other person (contributing factor)
- Nose down, landing - roll
  - flight manuals - not followed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT FLYING A CESSNA 305A WAS ENGAGED IN BANNER TOWING. THE PILOT COULD NOT RELEASE THE BANNER AND MADE A LANDING. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER. THE FAA SAID THE OWNER HAD MADE AN UNAUTHORIZED MODIFICATION TO THE HOOK RELEASE MECHANISM AND THE PILOT FAILED TO LAND ON A HARD SURFACE AS RECOMMENDED IN THE APPROVED SUPPLEMENTAL FLIGHT MANUAL FOR BANNER TOWING, WHEN LANDING WITH A BANNER STILL ATTACHED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5208G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5208G), registered now, S/N 21936, built 1951 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 305A
- Registry model: [Cessna 305A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-305a) (registry code 2074002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 21936
- Airframe hours: 8722
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470 213 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Visionaire
- Registered owner: Vision Air Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1990
- Airport: 2B2, Plum Island

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 617 total, 99 in this make and model, 588 as pilot in command, 230 in the last 90 days, 64 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 12 knots
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °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 19900707024909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900707024909A), Jul 7, 1990: Cessna 305A, Newburyport, MA, Substantial damage. Unable to release banner. Nosed over landing on grass with banner. Unauthorized tow hook factors.

## Other investigations on N5208G (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 NYC04CA202](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC04CA202), Sep 3, 2004: Cessna 305A (N5208G), Lawrence, MA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadvertent pickup of a banner towline with the airplanes main landing gear after encountering gusting wind conditions. A factor related to the accident was the gusting wind conditions.

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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