Cessna 305A N53136
15 August 1993 · Beach Haven, New Jersey, United States · Minor injuries
Summary
On 15 August 1993 at about 16:30 local time, a Cessna 305A registered N53136, operated by Aerial Advertising, Inc., was involved in an accident near Beach Haven, New Jersey, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 16:30
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Beach Haven, New Jersey, United States
- Nearest airport
- R.j. Miller Airpark (N44)
- Coordinates
- Not recorded
- Aircraft
- Cessna 305A
- Registration
- N53136
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Aerial Advertising, Inc.
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Unknown
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Manville → Unknown
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- NYC93LA157
People
1 person had minor injuries.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Probable cause
FAILURE OF THE BANNER RELEASE SYSTEM TO FUNCTION FOR AN UNDETERMINED REASON, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INABILITY OF THE AIRCRAFT TO SUSTAIN FLIGHT ONCE THE BANNER BEGAN DRAGGING IN THE WATER. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: LACK OF COORDINATION BETWEEN THE PILOT AND GROUND PERSONNEL TO INFORM THE PILOT OF THE EXTRA LENGTH OF THE TOW LINE.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
THIS WAS THE PILOT'S THIRD BANNER TOW FLIGHT OF THE DAY. THE FIRST AND SECOND BANNER DROPS WERE SUCCESSFUL. ON THE THIRD DROP, THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO RELEASE THE BANNER AND IT DRAGGED ON THE GROUND, THEN INTO THE WATER OF A NEARBY BAY. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT WHEN THE BANNER WENT INTO THE WATER, THE RESULTANT DRAG WAS TOO MUCH FOR THE AIRCRAFT TO OVERCOME. HE WAS UNABLE TO SUSTAIN FLIGHT, AND THE AIRPLANE CONTACTED THE WATER. THE PILOT STATED THAT UNKNOWN TO HIM, THE THIRD TOW LINE WAS 50 TO 75 FEET LONGER THAN THE OTHERS. DURING AN INVESTIGATION, THE TOW RELEASE MECHANISM WAS ACTUATED SIX TIMES (WITHOUT A LOAD), AND IT FUNCTIONED PROPERLY.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Cessna 305 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 May 1993 | Cessna 305A | Fort Collins, Colorado, United States | Banner Advertising, Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 17 Jul 1993 | Cessna 305A | Belen, New Mexico, United States | Bickford/Petmecky | No injuries | - |
| 23 Jul 1993 | Cessna 305B | Fulton, Missouri, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 24 Oct 1992 | Cessna 305A | Prescott, Arizona, United States | Daniel J. Sweeney | No injuries | - |
| 23 Feb 1992 | Cessna 305A | Plymouth, Massachusetts, United States | Paul Santopietro | Minor injuries | - |
| 27 Sep 1992 | Cessna 305A | Waynesville, Ohio, United States | Soaring Society of Dayton Inc. | No injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 May 1993 | American General AG5B | Princeton, New Jersey, United States | Raritan Valley Flying School | Minor injuries | - |
| 9 May 1993 | Hockenbury BOWERS FLY BABY | Peapack, New Jersey, United States | Peter Hockenbury | Minor injuries | - |
| 10 May 1993 | Cessna 172P | Pittstown, New Jersey, United States | Royal Karina Air Service Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 21 Jul 1993 | Beatty GLASAIR SH-2 | Cape May, New Jersey, United States | Eugene J. Beatty | Serious injuries | - |
| 28 Mar 1993 | Piper PA-23-250 | Elmwood Park, New Jersey, United States | Alan B. Fleischman | Fatal | 6 |
| 30 Jul 1993 | North American AT-6 | Matawan, New Jersey, United States | Bi-Plane Adventure Tours Inc. | No injuries | - |