Military Trainer
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Sea; Flight Crew Rotorcraft
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 50; Flight Crew Total 3300; Flight Crew Type 175
Situational Awareness; Distraction; Communication Breakdown
Conflict NMAC
Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors; Airspace Structure
I was transiting westbound along the beach line at 500 feet MSL; a ¼ mile south of the coastline and had a very near mid-air collision with a banner-tow aircraft flying opposite direction. Distance between aircraft estimated at less than 100 feet horizontal and approximately 10-20 feet vertical. Banner-tow AC was not spotted by me (rear cockpit/passenger in front of cockpit) until approximately 2 seconds before aircraft passed each other. I turned hard right 90° to verify other aircraft (after passing). I was talking to ATC; had a squawk code and was [on] frequency. Event occurred just south of Pensacola Beach; FL approximately 1 mile west of pier and approximately 2 miles east of NAS Pensacola Class C surface area. I did not receive a traffic advisory radio call and afterwards queried ATC Controller if he had other traffic on radar scope. No definitive answer was given. I believed banner-tow AC was not participating with ATC; i.e. did not have a squawk code; [was not communicating] with ATC; and most likely came through NAS Pensacola (NPA) Class C airspace without clearance. While forward visibility in the plane is problematic [due to the aircraft design and seating configuration;] I believe the banner-tow aircraft was not keeping a sufficient forward look-out (we're guilty too; despite our aircraft's impediments and a properly briefed passenger; etc.) as well. This incident is reported in good faith in hopes of preventing future such incidents.
The pilot reported a 'very' near miss with a banner-towing high-wing aircraft in or near NPA Class C airspace while flying the beach at 500 feet. He was receiving advisories but the other aircraft was not; nor did the other aircraft have a Class C clearance.