Uploaded November 2023 | Updated September 2026, 10 hours ago
A pilot doing his first banner tow with a Piper PA25 crashed and died. Todd and John examine the crash to urge pilots to educate themselves about all types of flight operations.
NTSB reports are a good resource, but more data is often available online. Images and videos taken by other pilots and the public and websites like FlightAware can help the effort to understand what is needed for aviation safety in all types of flight operations.
The 2019 plane crash in Fort Lauderdale, Florida at the center of the episode happened to a new tow pilot who had less than an hour's worth of flight time towing a banner. Inexperience and a lack of training led to this aviation disaster.
Banner towing has long been an attractive job for pilots looking to build flight hours. Unfortunately, accidents are common in towing operations. Todd and John offer options for new pilots to increase their understanding of the risks that come with banner towing and other types of commercial flight operation.
Related documents available at the Flight Safety Detectives website:
• NTSB Public Docket
• Previous Flight Safety Detectives Banner Towing Episode
• NTSB Aviation Investigation Final Report ERA19FA112
• NTSB spectrum study of the accident aircraft's engine noises
Don’t miss what’s to come from the Flight Safety Detectives - subscribe to the Flight Safety Detectives YouTube channel, listen at your favorite podcast service and visit the Flight Safety Detectives website.
Music: “Inspirational Sports” license ASLC-22B89B29-052322DDB8
A pilot doing his first banner tow with a Piper PA25 crashed and died. Todd and John examine the crash to urge pilots to educate themselves about all types of flight operations.
NTSB reports are a good resource, but more data is often available online. Images and videos taken by other pilots and the public and websites like FlightAware can help the effort to understand what is needed for aviation safety in all types of flight operations.
The 2019 plane crash in Fort Lauderdale, Florida at the center of the episode happened to a new tow pilot who had less than an hour's worth of flight time towing a banner. Inexperience and a lack of training led to this aviation disaster.
Banner towing has long been an attractive job for pilots looking to build flight hours. Unfortunately, accidents are common in towing operations. Todd and John offer options for new pilots to increase their understanding of the risks that come with banner towing and other types of commercial flight operation.
Related documents available at the Flight Safety Detectives website:
• NTSB Public Docket
• Previous Flight Safety Detectives Banner Towing Episode
• NTSB Aviation Investigation Final Report ERA19FA112
• NTSB spectrum study of the accident aircraft's engine noises
Don’t miss what’s to come from the Flight Safety Detectives - subscribe to the Flight Safety Detectives YouTube channel, listen at your favorite podcast service and visit the Flight Safety Detectives website.
Music: “Inspirational Sports” license ASLC-22B89B29-052322DDB8
