Banner planes not flying banners in Myrtle Beach

A South Carolina company has surrendered its federal authorization to tow banners behind its planes as authorities investigate three recent crashes in and around Myrtle Beach. Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Kathleen Bergen said Tuesday that Conway-based Sky Signs LLC surrendered its certificate of authorization to the federal agency Friday. The certificates are issued by the FAA to plane operators for specific activities, like towing advertising banners. Bergen says the company gave up its certificate without any prompting from federal officials and the company can still fly planes but can't tow banners. Sky Signs officials did not immediately return messages seeking comment.

--Associated Press