Banner plane crashes near SC beach

NORTH MYRTLE BEACH -- A banner plane has crashed in the ocean just off North Myrtle Beach. Reports indicate that nobody was seriously injured.

City spokeswoman Nicole Aiello told The (Myrtle Beach) Sun News that the pilot was the only person aboard and he suffered minor injuries. The newspaper reported that several witnesses said the plane may have struck the banner of another plane before crashing.

A section of the beach was closed as authorities checked for fuel spills from the plane, which could be seen upside down in the water.

Authorities did not immediately return calls from The Associated Press.

Information from: The Sun News, http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)