CAMARILLO, Calif. – Authorities have identified the pilot of a single-engine plane attempting to tow an advertising banner who was killed when the aircraft crashed during takeoff from the Camarillo Airport in Southern California.
Ventura County Senior Deputy Medical Examiner Craig Stevens says an autopsy of 53-year-old Marc Fiorini of Mesa, Ariz., shows he died of multiple blunt-force injuries in Sunday morning's crash.
Federal Aviation Administration and local officials say Fiorini was attempting to pick up an aerial ad banner when the plane slammed onto an unused section of runway.
The airport restaurant's manager, Sondra Phelps, says she saw the banner collapse as the plane was taking off.
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