The stretch of road next to the Target shopping center in Hollywood where a pilot died in the crash of a small banner tow plane will remain closed much of Thursday, officials say.
The yellow single-engine Piper PA-25-235 crashed along North Park Road shortly before 1 p.m. Wednesday, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
North Park Road from Hollywood Boulevard to Fillmore Street “will be closed for at least another 24 hours as the investigation continues,” Hollywood Police said Wednesday afternoon. Anyone trying to go to Memorial Regional Hospital will not be able take North Park Road.
Information about the pilot or who owns the plane was not available.
The plane departed from North Perry Airport in Pembroke Pines, Arlene Satchell, a spokesperson for the airport, said in an email, just over 5 miles from where it crashed.
The plane burst into flames after the crash, Deanna Bettineschi, a Hollywood Police spokesperson, said in an email. Witnesses described seeing plumes of smoke, smelling gasoline in the air and feeling the heat of the blaze from across the street.
Officials were investigating the crash late into Wednesday afternoon. NTSB investigators will arrive at the scene Thursday, an agency spokesperson said in an email. The plane will be taken to an off-site facility to be investigated. The FAA will assist in the investigation.