Banner Tow Pilot Killed In Fiery Crash

A pilot was killed when his banner tow plane crashed in Hollywood, Florida, on Wednesday. Video shows the Piper Pawnee flying slowly and at low altitude while still towing the large banner over the city. It appeared to be losing altitude before dropping a wing and diving to the ground at about 12:30 p.m.

The aircraft left North Perry Airport and was headed to a nearby beach when the pilot reported power problems to air traffic control. “Yeah, I’m gonna have to drop this banner. I’m not climbing,” he is quoted as saying. The plane crashed on a street and caught fire immediately. Bystanders tried to pull the pilot to safety but the fire was too intense. The aircraft was owned by Aerial Banners Inc. The name of the pilot has not been released. The NTSB is sending an investigative team to the site.