Banner Fell Across Power Lines In Downtown San Francisco

An advertising banner being towed over a neighborhood in downtown San Francisco just before noon Saturday apparently separated from its tow plane and fell across some power lines, causing a limited power outage. No one was reportedly injured.

The San Jose Mercury News reports that about 2,000 people were without power for a good portion of the day because of the incident, and the FAA has launched an investigation as to why the banner may have come loose from its tow plane. In an e-mail, FAA spokesman Ian Gregor said "All aircraft operations have to be conducted so they don't pose a hazard to any people or property on the ground, and we would want to know what caused a banner to come off a plane in flight."

San Francisco police said the Stinson biplane that was towing the banner is registered to Ad-Viation in San Ramon, CA. The police said the banner was released "under unknown circumstances."

The banner reportedly caught fire and burned up, but not before several pictures of the ad for $8.99 haircuts were posted on Twitter. Power in the neighborhood was restored by late Saturday afternoon, according to television station KTVU.

FMI: www.faa.gov