20120718014559A

The pilot stated that he had flown the same aircraft the day before with no problems and topped off the fuel tanks at the end of the day. The pilot had stated that he had completed a preflight the morning of the accident, including checking the fuel and oil, all was ok. The pilot reported that he departed at 9:00 am and grabbed his first banner and that he had flown up and down the beach for about two hours with no problems. At about 9:40 am, heading south following the shore line the pilot stated that the engine sputtered two or three time within a two or three minute period,and then the engine quit. The propeller was not turning at this time. The pilot stated that he had pushed the throttle and mixture forward and switched fuel tanks and that the engine did not respond. The pilot stated that with the weight of the banner he had very little time before the aircraft was in the water, he also stated that he did not release the banner, that he was trained to keep the banner on the aircraft for a water landing. The pilot stated that he was about chest deep in water before he was able to exit the aircraft. The pilot stated that he swam toward shore, then rested with someone on a bogie board, when someone came on a jet ski and took him to shore. The pilot stated that he was told that he was bleeding on his forehead but that he didn't feel any pain. The pilot was transported to a local hospital at which time a laceration was stitched up with 24 stitches.