Primary finding
Probable cause
The delayed level off by the pilot, during the banner pick-up, which resulted in the entanglement of the banner with the horizontal stabilizer.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
During banner tow operations, the pilot was attempting to pick-up the banner. A gust of wind disturbed the pick-up flight path & a go-around was begun. As the pilot entered a climbing right turn, the left horizontal stabilizer snagged the banner rope. The banner, banner rope, & the pick-up poles became entangled around the fuselage. As the pilot attempted to land the airplane, it was not aligned with the runway, therefore he landed in the grass beside the runway. One of the pick-up poles stuck in the ground, which jerked the entangled rope, & distorted fuselage longerons forward of the horizontal stabilizer.
Source record
Factual narrative
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