N72AB

On July 25, 2003, about 0905 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-25-235, N72AB, registered to and operated by Aerial Banners, Inc., as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 banner towing flight, had its engine cease to operate while in cruise flight in the vicinity of Plantation, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The commercial-rated pilot received minor injuries, and the airplane incurred substantial damage. The flight originated in Pembroke Pines, Florida, the same day about 0715.

The pilot stated that he checked the fuel quantity as part of his preflight procedure before taking off, and flying the airplane to Opa-Locka Airport, where he picked up the banner. He said that 11/2 hours into the flight, he then proceeded back to Opa-Locka, to drop off the banner. As he was proceeding westbound over Interstate 595, he said that suddenly the airplane's engine started to operate rough, and there was a decrease in engine rpms. At that time, he said the airplane was unable to maintain altitude with the decrease in engine power, and soon after that the engine started to cough, and the propeller began to slow its revolutions. He said he then performed the emergency checklist, checking the mixture, ensuring the fuel supply, fuel pump, and carburetor heat were all "on", and then attempted to restart the engine, but it would not start. He said he looked for a safe area to drop the banner, and after dropping it, called Fort Lauderdale FAA Air Traffic Control Tower and informed them that he will be making a precautionary landing on a golf course. While performing the landing flare, the pilot said the right main landing gear wheel hit a "roll" in the fairway and the airplane was damaged. The pilot said that the fuel gage was indicating over a quarter of a tank of fuel, and he did not list any other mechanical failure or malfunction to the airplane or to any of its systems.

An FAA inspector who responded to the accident, said that he examined the accident scene, as well as the airplane, and found minimal fuel on board the airplane. In addition, he stated that there was no evidence of any fuel having exited the airplane as a result of the accident, and that no preaccident anomalies were found with the airplane. The inspector further stated the pilot told him that he had not placed any fuel in the airplane the day of the accident, and that he had checked the fuel quantity before the flight by inserting a finger in the tank, but he could not feel any fuel, so he shook the airplane, and fuel splashed on his finger.

Information obtained from the operator showed that fuel had last been purchased and placed in the accident airplane's fuel tanks the day before the accident by another pilot who later flew the airplane, about 21/2 hours on that day.