By SHANIKA ISAACS<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A small banner plane crashed into a Fort Lauderdale condominium last Friday, killing the pilot and destroying a resident\u2019s kitchen. No other people were hurt. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Derek Morgan, 28, was a resident of Washington state before moving six weeks ago to South Florida to accomplish more hours for his commercial pilot license. Many of his co-workers, friends and close-friends remembered him as someone jovial and warm to be around. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
“It’s a tragedy. It’s a tragedy for the family. It’s a tragedy for all of us. He traveled across the country just to get here to do some flight hours,” said Patrick Phipps, one of Morgan’s friend. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to witnesses they told the Sun Sentinel<\/em> that the plane\u2019s banner was caught on a nearby building which sent it hurtling into The Berkley South. It landed between the 16th<\/sup> and 17th<\/sup> floors before toppling onto the pool deck that was still undergoing construction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Piper PA-25 was registered to Ariel Banners Inc., which was based at North Perry Airport. After the crash all residents were evacuated from the building in fear for a gas leak. Once a fire threat was clear and further investigations were done they were not allotted back inside until it was safe to do so.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" By SHANIKA ISAACS A small banner plane crashed into a Fort Lauderdale condominium last Friday, killing the pilot and destroying a resident\u2019s kitchen. No other people were hurt. Derek Morgan, 28, was a resident of Washington state before moving six … Continue reading