Cessna 150J accident near Manteo, North Carolina, June 27, 2018
On June 27, 2018 at about 2:26 pm local time, a 1968 Cessna 150J, registered N60111, was destroyed in an accident during initial climb near Manteo, North Carolina (Dare County Rgnl airport). It was a banner-towing flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of control due to the banner tow rope becoming entangled with the left horizontal stabilizer in crosswind conditions.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 27, 2018 · about 2:26 pm local time
- Place
- Manteo, North Carolina · Dare County Rgnl · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 150J J, built 1968 · all 150Js on the register
- Registration
- N60111 · no longer on the register · serial 15070076
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Banner-towing flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The commercial pilot was performing a banner-tow flight. A ground crewmember who witnessed the accident stated that the airplane was operating too low during the banner pickup. That witness and another indicated that, when the airplane picked up the banner-tow rope, it became entangled in the area of the left horizontal stabilizer and elevator. The pilot radioed that he was unable to release the banner rope and could not turn the airplane. The airplane yawed left and only climbed to about 250 ft before descending into the trees by the airport. A postaccident examination of the flight controls and the engine revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation with the exception that the banner tow rope was wrapped around the leading edge of the left horizontal stabilizer. During the approach to pick up the banner, the wind was a direct left crosswind at 10 knots gusting to 14 knots. It is likely that the pilot flew an approach that was hampered by the crosswind. During pickup of the tow line, the banner tow-rope became entangled with the horizontal stabilizer and elevator, reducing the pilot's ability to control the airplane, and resulted in a loss of control in flight.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Flight control sys malf/fail during initial climb defining event
- Loss of control in flight during initial climb
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft structures › Fuselage › Aerial tow equipment section › Incorrect use/operation
- cause Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Crosswind › Effect on operation
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Incorrect use/operation
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 150 hours in all; 150 in this make and model
- Last flight review: May 7, 2018
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 932.7 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 19, 2017; 149 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,601 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-A4A (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Outerbanks Seaplanes LLC
The flight
- Departed from: MQI Manteo NC at 2:20 pm
- Destination: MQI Manteo NC
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 23, 4,305 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 120° at 10 knots, gusting 14
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 1,900 ft
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 72°F (22°C)
- Altimeter: 30.06 inHg
- Observation at 2:35 pm from KMQI
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
9 documents, released by the NTSB on April 22, 2020. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Witness Statements | PDF, 7 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot Training Records | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Airframe and Engine Examaintion Summary | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Maintenance Records | PDF, 8 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Weather Observations | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | Photo Array | PDF, 7 pages | View Download |
| 7 | Toxicological Report | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 8 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 9 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.