PA-28 Cherokee/Archer/Dakota/Pillan/Warrior
Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Commercial
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 31; Flight Crew Total 735; Flight Crew Type 190
Situational Awareness; Communication Breakdown
Conflict NMAC; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors; Procedure
I received flight following enroute to ZZZ. After ATC approved my frequency change and squawk code change to 1200. I switched to CTAF frequency and AWOS. I made radio calls that I was approaching airport from several miles away and would be doing a 45 degree entry for [Runway] XX; full stop. I then made my radio call for a 45 degree entry on the 45 degree entrance for Runway XX right traffic. Preceding traffic did an entry via base leg and landed on Runway XX without incident. I proceeded to enter via 45 degree entry and made my turn to downwind right traffic at about 1;006ft MSL. I continued to make radio calls that I was right turn downwind XX for ZZZ. I heard nor saw no other traffic in the pattern nor making radio calls for ZZZ. No traffic appeared on my ADS-B in Stratus 2I unit either. Abeam numbers of Runway XX; I reduced power and start about a 500/min descent and was scanning for traffic and scanning for proper distance for a turn to base. As I descended a silver high wing banner towing aircraft came into view coming from the opposite direction slightly above me on downwind (maybe 35 feet above me) and was transitioning through the traffic pattern of ZZZ towing a banner. There was no time for a radio call at the closing rate of the two aircraft and I abruptly made a descending right turn to avoid a head on collision. The banner tow plane did not turn initially but made a right turn after I called on the radio letting him know he flew through the downwind leg of in the opposite of the pattern at ZZZ and nearly collided with me. He then made a right turn and proceeded to fly west toward the bay to avoid the pattern. He said he had no idea what I was talking about and was cursing on the radio. I then realized that he never saw me. I continued to make my base leg radio call and final approach radio call and landed without any other problems. This collision was avoided.
Pilot reported a Near Mid Air Collision with a banner tow aircraft that flew through the airport traffic pattern; causing them to take evasive action.