# NTSB WPR11CA309: Cessna 182A, N5175D, Vancouver, WA, July 5, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 4, 2011, 20:35 local (Jul 5, 2011, 03:35 UTC) - Place: Vancouver, WA - Coordinates: 45.618888, -122.653892 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.6189&lon=-122.6539&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report October 4, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 80991 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR11CA309 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/80991/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=80991 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11CA309 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to properly engage the banner tow rope with the airplane's tail hook. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182A, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072704), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Misc hardware](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071400): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071400/cases.md?model=2072704), [All aircraft, 41 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071400/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Cessna 182A, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=2072704), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 182A, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=2072704), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis The banner tow pilot reported that he approached the banner tow pickup point to catch the rope with his tail hook. Shortly after his initial pitch up maneuver to hook the rope, the pilot observed through a small mirror that the rope was not attached to his tail hook. Subsequently the banner lifted off the ground and the pilot could see that the banner rope looked like it was resting on or around his right horizontal stabilizer. Photos taken of the airplane in the air by a witness prior to the accident show the tow rope hooked around the nose gear and looped over the right horizontal stabilizer. Unable to release the banner, the pilot returned to land on the grassy area next to the runway as he was concerned that the banner might get snagged on obstacles located around the runway. As the pilot began his landing approach at approximately a 300 foot per minute descent and was crossing the west end of the runway, he brought the throttle to idle, added full flaps, and tried to maintain 60 mph. As the airplane descended the banner contacted the ground resulting in a significant amount of drag to the airplane. According to the pilot the airspeed began to drop and he attempted to maintain it by further lowering the nose. The airplane contacted the ground hard and the firewall sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe and engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The banner tow pilot reported that he approached the banner tow pickup point to catch the rope with his tail hook. Shortly after his initial pitch up maneuver to hook the rope, the pilot observed through a small mirror that the rope was not attached to his tail hook. Subsequently the banner lifted off the ground and the pilot could see that the banner rope looked like it was resting on or around his right horizontal stabilizer. Photos taken of the airplane in the air by a witness prior to the accident show the tow rope hooked around the nose gear and looped over the right horizontal stabilizer. Unable to release the banner, the pilot returned to land on the grassy area next to the runway, due to a fear that the banner might get snagged on obstacles located around the runway. As the pilot began his landing approach at approximately a 300 foot per minute descent and was crossing the west end of the runway, he brought the throttle to idle, added full flaps, and tried to maintain 60 mph. As the airplane descended the banner contacted the ground resulting in a significant amount of drag to the airplane. According to the pilot the airspeed began to drop and he attempted to maintain it by further lowering the nose. The airplane then contacted the ground hard, substantially damaging the firewall of the airplane. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe and engine that would have precluded normal flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5175D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5175D-2013-06-18), registration cancelled 2013-06-18, S/N 51275, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 182A - Registry model: [Cessna 182A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182a) (registry code 2072704) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 51275 - Airframe hours: 12625 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470 SERIES 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Banner tow, Part 91 - Operator: Sky Signs Inc - Registered owner: Sky Signs Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, May 13, 2011, 75 hours before - Departed: KVUO, Vancouver, WA - Destination: KVUO, Vancouver, WA - Airport: KVUO, Pearson Field ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: minor; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 8, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 1,596 total, 1,011 in this make and model, 1,503 as pilot in command, 71 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 311° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: KVUO ## 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 20110704013879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110704013879A), Jul 4, 2011: Cessna 182A, Vancouver, WA, Substantial damage. Pilot suspected banner was not hooked by the hook and asked tower if they could verify where it was hooked on the plane. Tower was unable to verify. In viewing… ## Other investigations on N5175D (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 IAD76DKM09](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD76DKM09), Sep 21, 1975: Cessna 182 (N5175D), Midland, NC, substantial damage ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 22, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=80991. 1.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 566 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40350887&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation - Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 49 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40350888&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Photo 1 - Banner Tow Attachment to Airplane - Courtesy of Airport Operations (item 3, .PDF, 468 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40350889&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Banner%20Tow%20Attachment%20to%20Airplane%20-%20Courtesy%20of%20Airport%20Operations-Master.PDF 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.