Pilot Reported Mechanical Problems With R44 Towing The Ad

The pilot of a Robinson R44 helicopter towing a banner ad for Budweiser beer in Union County NC was forced to jettison the banner when mechanical problems cropped up with the aircraft.

Television station WBTV reports that according to the FAA, the pilot disconnected the banner after experiencing unspecified "mechanical problems" with the helicopter. The banner fell on a house in Weddington, NC.

Homeowner Susan Broome told the station that at first she thought it was a parachute, but when she and others in the home went outside, they realized it was an advertising banner "You could hear the banner itself sliding down the side of the house," she said.

Broome is herself a former pilot. She said that she understands about close calls in aviation, and that the pilot has offered to pay for any damages to the house caused by the Sunday incident.

No one was injured by the falling banner, and the FAA is continuing its investigation.

(R44 pictured in file photo. Not incident aircraft)

FMI: www.faa.gov