Two People On Board Were Fatally Injured

The NTSB has opened an investigation into an accident which occurred in Foley, AL Saturday involving a banner-tow aircraft. The plane was involved in a loss-of-control accident and impacted terrain at about 8:20 a.m. local time, resulting in the fatal injury of the two people on board. A post-impact fire destroyed most of the aircraft.

Television station WALA reports that, according to NTSB investigator Peter Knudson, the right wing of plane dropped, and the aircraft entered a spin. Knudson said the pilot was unable to recover from the spin before the airplane impacted the ground.

The airplane reportedly belonged to two local restaurants. It was planning to two a banner 25 feet wide by 65 feet long over Gulf Shores Saturday.

The airplane was identified as an American Champion BGCBC Scout. Witnesses said that the plane was attempting to pick up the banner when it entered the spin.

The two on board have been identified as George Marshall of Gulf Shores and Bradley John Lafleur of Orange Beach. Officials said Marshall was the pilot of the aircraft.

(Image from file. Not accident aircraft)

FMI: Original report