Cessna 172M N61929 accident near Farmingdale, New Jersey

Probable cause

The airplane’s loss of lift shortly after picking up a banner for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examinations revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that, while towing a banner through 300 feet above ground level (agl) with the engine at full power, the airplane experienced a sudden and abrupt loss of altitude shortly after picking up a banner. The pilot turned the airplane left to try to gain additional climb performance, but the airplane continued to descend. At 200 feet agl, the airplane was still descending, so the pilot pushed all three tow releases to release the banner. However, the banner did not release, so he continued turning the airplane left to find a suitable area to perform an emergency landing. The pilot performed a forced landing on a gravel path between two tree lines, and the left wing subsequently impacted trees. The banner released shortly before impact, and the tail banner towline and tow hook were located along the wreckage path leading to the main wreckage. The pilot did not notice a loss of engine rpm during the flight. Postaccident examination of the airplane and engine revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA13LA339 for the full record.