Crash landing off Seal Beach

One ad message made an unexpected splash Friday when a banner-towing plane crash-landed just off Surfside beach, resulting in minor injuries to the pilot but none to those on the ground.

[joe momma]

.....GOOD JOB by all..
....

[fred]

Did the balloon chair guy change his mind and rent a plane instead anyway?

[mike]

I flew that airplane hundreds of hours last year with no problems. The fuel system is a tad tricky to the novice pilot. There's also a aux tank in the back.

[Sparkie]

Has any one heard from the balloon chair guy or how is doing? I heard he had a web sight. Does any one know it?

[fred]

Sparkie wrote:

Has any one heard from the balloon chair guy or how is doing? I heard he had a web sight. Does any one know it?

couchballoons.com but there hasn't been any update though. I think maybe this is a hoax anyway.

[Concerned MB Resident]

Now you know why our city leaders, along with those from Hermosa Beach are fighting to raise the height at which TOW PLANES can fly adjacent to the beach. Right now it is "officially" 500 feet - but how do you know?

Also, why allow them to fly so close to the beach? Why not push them out 2,000 yards west of any structure? And no "turn arounds" over any houses! Period.

Is one major plane crash into a crowded beach going to be the "wake up call" to the FAA and Banner Tow Plane operaters and advertisers?

Contact every tow plane advertiser and let them know what you think! Resident safety first!

[fred]

Concerned MB Resident wrote:

Now you know why our city leaders, along with those from Hermosa Beach are fighting to raise the height at which TOW PLANES can fly adjacent to the beach. Right now it is "officially" 500 feet - but how do you know?
Also, why allow them to fly so close to the beach? Why not push them out 2,000 yards west of any structure? And no "turn arounds" over any houses! Period.
Is one major plane crash into a crowded beach going to be the "wake up call" to the FAA and Banner Tow Plane operaters and advertisers?
Contact every tow plane advertiser and let them know what you think! Resident safety first!

You're not happy about anything though.

[fred]

Concerned MB Resident wrote:

Now you know why our city leaders, along with those from Hermosa Beach are fighting to raise the height at which TOW PLANES can fly adjacent to the beach. Right now it is "officially" 500 feet - but how do you know?
Also, why allow them to fly so close to the beach? Why not push them out 2,000 yards west of any structure? And no "turn arounds" over any houses! Period.
Is one major plane crash into a crowded beach going to be the "wake up call" to the FAA and Banner Tow Plane operaters and advertisers?
Contact every tow plane advertiser and let them know what you think! Resident safety first!

I doubt that half of the folks enjoying the beach are residents though. Why don't you just wall the place off anyway.

[Vixen]

Sparkie wrote:

Has any one heard from the balloon chair guy or how is doing? I heard he had a web sight. Does any one know it?

He reached his destination safely.

[JAWS]

Look civil aviation is still safer than driving a car, but as with anything accidents will happen. Stop trying to shrink wrap the world and realise that you are only as safe as your own awareness of your environment. The pilot was only doing his job, trying to earn a living and I for one think that he should be commended for doing such a fine job protecting the public. No one was hurt but him. Stop trying to make his job harder.

[bootzy]

A plane can crash anywhere, anytime and mostly without warning. No need to ban them from flying over the beach (they fly over miles of people and structures, to get there and leave there), The only need is, as proven in this case, is Educated, Skilled, pilots, awesome job.

[Bob Kanczer]

Concerned MB Resident wrote:

Now you know why our city leaders, along with those from Hermosa Beach are fighting to raise the height at which TOW PLANES can fly adjacent to the beach. Right now it is "officially" 500 feet - but how do you know?
Also, why allow them to fly so close to the beach? Why not push them out 2,000 yards west of any structure? And no "turn arounds" over any houses! Period.
Is one major plane crash into a crowded beach going to be the "wake up call" to the FAA and Banner Tow Plane operaters and advertisers?
Contact every tow plane advertiser and let them know what you think! Resident safety first!

There were at least 20 car accidents in L.A. over the weekend. Maybe we should close all freeways since they're obviously unsafe.

[quiet]

To stop banner ads, call the advertisers - most have toll free numbers. Don't patronize businesses that advertise this way.

[Concerned MB Resident]

fred wrote:

<quoted text>
I doubt that half of the folks enjoying the beach are residents though. Why don't you just wall the place off anyway.

Good Idea Fred! Lets "wall off" El Segundo so that all the banner tow planes circle over your head! And when one crashes down on you I wonder what you say then?

Right, i thought so!

[Concerned MB Resident]

Bob Kanczer wrote:

<quoted text>
There were at least 20 car accidents in L.A. over the weekend. Maybe we should close all freeways since they're obviously unsafe.

Nice thought Bob! Good thing our freeways are "safe" from banner tow planes!

Then lets have the same "weak" safety regulations that these tow planes currently have (courteshy of the FAA) applied to our "safe" freeways!

maybe they can wrap a banner over you next time you drive!

All i was saying was the South Bay beaches are so populated, what is wrong with a common sense approach to limit the level these planes can go below and near structures? Understand?

[Pilot]

If the pilot in question knew what he was doing, he would have familiarized himself thouroughly with the aircraft he was flying. Such as the fuel system, flight characterisitics, and not just jump in fat,dumb and happy. FAR's Part 91 dictate the responsiblities of the pilot in command, to be familiar and aware of all aspects of the flight. The pilot was lucky this time, but inattention to detail and unfamiliarity caused this crash. This had been a good and reliable ship.
What a waste!

[Pilot]

quiet wrote:

To stop banner ads, call the advertisers - most have toll free numbers. Don't patronize businesses that advertise this way.

1st amendment baby! I'm a banner tow pilot with 30 yrs accident free flight. I operate as safely as possible. I'm very conscious of my land locked brothers and sisters. When in flight every effort is made to have a safe flight, from weather to use of ATC. A cruise altitude of 2000 ft. msl and higher when possible is maintained to the location. If going to the beach I make my decent out over the water down to 500ft. msl. and stay at least 1/4 mile off shore. Frequent communication with ATC alerts me to other traffic, as well as the most current altimeter setting. I personally do not want to disturb the tranquility of beach goers and residents,I just want to make an honest buck like everyone else.

[Concerned MB Resident]

Pilot wrote:

<quoted text>
1st amendment baby! I'm a banner tow pilot with 30 yrs accident free flight. I operate as safely as possible. I'm very conscious of my land locked brothers and sisters. When in flight every effort is made to have a safe flight, from weather to use of ATC. A cruise altitude of 2000 ft. msl and higher when possible is maintained to the location. If going to the beach I make my decent out over the water down to 500ft. msl. and stay at least 1/4 mile off shore. Frequent communication with ATC alerts me to other traffic, as well as the most current altimeter setting. I personally do not want to disturb the tranquility of beach goers and residents,I just want to make an honest buck like everyone else.

Pilot, no one wants to take your job away from you. We appreciate your work ethic and the rules you appear to follow. All we / the south bay cities want is the FAA to "raise" the hieght of the beach flights from 500 ft to 1,000 FT. You will be paid the same and appear much safer to the residents who will thank you for it!!

[Me et al]

Did it crashed close to the Seal Beach nuclear power facility?

[Mike]

quiet wrote:

To stop banner ads, call the advertisers - most have toll free numbers. Don't patronize businesses that advertise this way.

You and these other people have no idea what you are talking about and you are idiots. Learn how to fly and then you will have the right to make these types of comments. Accidents happen every day with cars, trains, busses, bikes, construction equipment...etc. When is the last time a banner tow plane killed or injured someone on the ground? I challenge you to look it up! The next time you get on an airliner and you are trusting your life to the pilot, just remember that he/she got their experience flying banner tows, flight instructing in small planes, pipeline patrol, traffic reporting etc.