Cessna A150K N1218M

Summary

On 17 December 1997 at about 17:15 local time, a Cessna A150K registered N1218M was involved in an accident near Jacksonville, Florida, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

17 December 1997 at 17:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Jacksonville, Florida, United States

Nearest airport

Craig Municipal (CRG)

Coordinates

30.3603, -81.5106

Aircraft

Cessna A150K

Registration

N1218M

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Unknown

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ATL98FA025

2 people died.

the pilot's failure to maintain adequate flying speed following a banner pick up, which resulted in a stall and an uncontrolled collision with the ground. A related factor was: the pilot allowed the maximum certificated gross weight of the airplane to be exceeded.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot (PIC) began a routine banner tow mission with a 2nd pilot aboard. The airplane was observed to approach for the banner pick-up. A witness indicated the approach and pick-up appeared normal. After the banner hook-up, the pilot initiated a climb attitude. Seconds into the climb, the airplane was observed in a steep nose up attitude. Subsequently, the airplane collided with the ground several hundred feet northeast of the banner pickup point in a nose down attitude. The eyewitness also stated that the engine continued to run throughout the maneuver. The airframe damage was typical of a stall impact. The 2nd pilot was a contract sales person for the banner tow operation, but was not cleared as a banner tow pilot. The aircraft's maximum certificated gross weight was 1600 pounds. The actual gross weight at takeoff was calculated to be 1647 pounds. The banner weighed 35 pounds. Examination of the airframe and engine assembly failed to disclose a mechanical malfunction or a component failure.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.