Primary finding
Probable cause
Failure of the pilot to maintain airspeed during pullup from an attempted banner pickup, which resulted in a stall.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot took off on a local banner tow flight. After takeoff, he deployed the banner pickup hook and maneuvered the airplane for a banner pickup. According to a witness (who was also a tow pilot), the airplane was slower than normal at the pickup point, and the banner hook missed the tow cable. The witness stated that the pilot made a steeper than normal pullup, then the airplane began a stall/spin. The airplane impacted in a soy bean field beside the runway and burned. No preimpact part failure or malfunction was found, but the airplane was extensively damaged by impact and fire.
Source record
Factual narrative
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