Probable Cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the banner pickup, which resulted in a low altitude aerodynamic stall/spin.
Picture of the Day: Sunset departure
Alan Staats submitted this photo and note: “A King Air 350 being prepared for a sunset departure at Scottsdale Airport (KSDL) in Arizona.”
Canada urged to accept BasicMed
More than 90,000 pilots have qualified to fly under BasicMed privileges since the program’s inception in 2017, according to AOPA officials.
Whirly-Girls open 2026 scholarship season
The Whirly-Girls will award more than $550,000 in scholarships in 2026 for helicopter flight training, maintenance training, and educational scholarships.
New Snug Seal Cowl Plugs protect aircraft
Sporty’s has introduced its new line of Snug Seal Cowl Plugs, designed to protect aircraft engines from birds, critters, and debris while providing a secure, tangle-free fit.
Exhaust system failure leads to crash
Probable Cause: The loss of engine power during go-around due to a failed muffler flame tube, which resulted in an exhaust blockage. Contributing to the accident was maintenance personnel’s inadequate inspection of the exhaust system during the most recent maintenance.
Picture of the Day: Peek the peak
Barry Munsterteiger submitted this photo and note: “On an IFR day skipping across the tops, Mount Hood in Oregon was just tall enough to peek the peak.”
Danger over the desert
In the latest video from AOPA’s Air Safety Institute, “Real Pilot Story: Danger over the Desert,” ferry pilot Kerry McCauley speaks about a mission he elected to abandon — the only time in his career he has chosen to do so — due to safety concerns with the aircraft.
EAA introduces Young Eagles Connect
Young people who are pursuing an interest in flight through the Experimental Aircraft Association’s Young Eagles program now have additional free support as they learn, thanks to the new Young Eagles Connect portal that connects them with mentors who can offer encouragement and guidance.