Incident Overview
A pilot reported that during a banner towing operation, the ground crew inadvertently added an additional forty letters to the tow, which required a higher cruise power setting. Furthermore, company dispatch requested that the pilot attempt to overtake another company aircraft and attract that pilot's attention, an effort that added an additional 20 minutes of flight at a higher power setting.
Sequence of Events
Upon returning to the airport to drop the banner, the pilot applied power during the maneuver. At that moment, the aircraft engine ceased operating. The subsequent landing resulted in a hard impact, causing substantial damage to the aircraft.
Investigation Findings
A postaccident examination of the aircraft revealed that the fuel in the fuel tank had been depleted. No additional causal factors were identified in the official source.