Piper PA-18-135 accident near Conway, SC
On May 23, 2005, a Piper PA-18-135 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Conway, SC. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- May 23, 2005
- Place
- Conway, SC
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-18-135 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 33.975°N, 79.011°W
- NTSB ID
- 20050601X00693
Official records · ATL05FA086
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On May 23, 2005, at 1245 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-18-135, N9951Q, registered to Sky Signs LLC, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 banner tow training flight, collided with the ground while maneuvering after releasing a banner aerial sign. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was destroyed. The commercial pilot flight instructor, and commercial pilot receiving instruction were fatally injured. The flight originated from Sky Field, a private airstrip in the vicinity of Conway, South Carolina, on May 23, 2005, at 1244. Two witnesses who were driving their private automobiles south from Conway, South Carolina, on Highway 701 stated they observed the airplane release the banner aerial sign at an airstrip. The airplane was observed to make a steep pitch up attitude after releasing the banner, followed by a steep left turn towards highway 701 at an altitude lower than the treetops. The left wing was described by one witness in a near vertical position with the ground before the nose of the airplane pitched down and the airplane collided with the ground. PERSONNEL INFORMATION Review of information on file with the FAA Airman's Certification Division, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, revealed the commercial pilot providing instruction was issued a commercial pilot certificate on January 21, 2005, with ratings for airplane single engine land, airplane multiengine land, and instrument airplane. In addition the pilot held a flight instructor certificate issued on March 3, 2005, with ratings for airplane single engine land,
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering after releasing a banner aerial sign, resulting in an inadvertent stall and collision with the ground. A factor in the accident was the flight instructor's improper supervision of the pilot receiving instruction.
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Browse: South Carolina · Piper aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
