BROWARD COUNTY, Fla. – A small banner plane crashed Thursday in western Broward County, but the pilot was able to avoid any serious injury.
The single-engine plane crashed in some marsh water about 3 miles west of U.S. Highway 27.
When Sky 10 arrived, the pilot could be seen standing on the underbelly of the yellow plane, which was upside down.
The pilot didn't appear to be hurt and was rescued by a Broward Sheriff's Office helicopter. He was flown to an awaiting ambulance near U.S. 27 and Pines Boulevard, where he was examined by paramedics. He declined to speak to Local 10 News.
BSO Capt. Kevin Butler said the plane's engine lost power shortly after takeoff from North Perry General Aviation Airport.
"He dropped the banner (and) tried to make it to the airport," but wound up making a controlled crash into the swamp, Butler said.
The plane was registered to Aerial Banners Inc. Nobody there would comment on the crash.
Deputies planned to return to the crash site to determine how to recover the plane.
"Apparently, the pilot had to swim from the plane, so it's heavy sawgrass and water," BSO Capt. Kevin Butler said. "We don't know how far it is from the land."
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