Exclusive: Video shows banner plane minutes after crashing into ocean in Myrtle Beach
The beach was silent moments before a banner plane crashed into the ocean Monday morning at 40th Avenue North in Myrtle Beach, according to bystanders.
Those nearby on the beach rushed into the water to help rescue the pilot.
The incident happened around 11:30 a.m. on Monday, according to timestamps on witness’ videos.
The cause of the crash is unknown and will be investigated by the Federal Aviation Administration and Coast Guard, said Myrtle Beach Police Department spokesperson Chris Starling.
Starling said the pilot is “okay” and is being treated at a hospital. A bystander said the pilot was moving and talking.
At 12:15 p.m. the small plane was lying in the surf, with its banner on the sand. The words on the banner were unable to be read. Myrtle Beach Police Department, Fire Department, Beach Rescue and Beach Patrol were on the scene.
Four beachgoers from the Upstate witnessed the crash. The individuals, who asked not to be identified, said the plane was silently flying low before it landed in the ocean.
A woman who was looking for shark teeth at the time said, “I didn’t hear anything, I just heard the crash, like I just heard something hit the water.”
A bystander said the pilot “was underwater for quite a while.” Videos from immediately after the crash show a number of beachgoers swimming to the downed plane.
An individual who helped in the rescue said the pilot was yelling for help when he arrived and he could barely touch the bottom of the ocean.
Banner planes are used to advertise messages from businesses along the coast.
This story was originally published July 31, 2023 at 12:18 PM.
