Small plane crashes on California beach, spooking Fouth of July revelers

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Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

A small plane towing a banner crash landed on a Southern California beach that was packed with Fourth of July revelers on Saturday.

The crash in Carlsbad sent screaming beachgoers scrambling. The pilot of the single engine plane that landed around 3 p.m. on the sand near the water was uninjured, but at least one bystander was transported to the hospital, according to a statement released by the city. The bystander was a teenager.

pic.twitter.com/jIgGxtevfF— Cory Vaughn (@coryhvaughn) July 4, 2015

BREAKING: Police told me teen hit by this banner plane that crashed on Carlsbad beach taken to Rady's. Minor injuries pic.twitter.com/JBqKweUjqA— Itica Milanes (@10NewsMilanes) July 4, 2015

Crash landing in carlsbad pic.twitter.com/74mMXbjhnK— Cory Vaughn (@coryhvaughn) July 4, 2015

The single-engine Piper PA18 lost engine power, Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Ian Gregor told The Associated Press. The plane flipped over after landing on the beach between the power plant and Tamarack Avenue. Authorities worked to evacuate the area and some nearby streets were closed for several hours, according to the city.

@nbcsandiego one child taken in ambulance no word on pilot pic.twitter.com/nYjYx69J3i— Brandon Martinez (@brandonm227) July 4, 2015

So a plane just crashed on the beach. A photo posted by Jason Koons (@j_koons) on Jul 4, 2015 at 3:27pm PDT

Right side up. There are now reports that a teenager was injured when the plane landed. No real information on the severity of the injury. One news report said he was struck but not injured. A few fellow pilots who watched the scene unfold expressed that the pilot did exactly what would be expected and showed incredible control and judgement under the circumstances. I saw him briefly and he looked a bit shaken up as would be expected. A photo posted by Jason Koons (@j_koons) on Jul 4, 2015 at 4:59pm PDT

The plane was lifted off the beach on Saturday evening, about four hours after the crash.

Crane hoisting plane off #Carlsbad State Beach after rollover crash. Pilot okay #NBC7 — Omari Fleming (@OmariNBCSD) Jul 04 2015

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