On Saturday, Aug. 4, at approximately 10:15 a.m. the Baldwin County 911 Operation Ctr. received a report of a plane possibly crashing in the Bon Secour area. Foley Fire Department and Foley Police Department arrived on scene to find a single engine aircraft in a sod field near Craft Farms Road West of County Road 65.

Investigation revealed two individuals in the aircraft. The victims were later identified as George Bancroft Marshall, 40, of Gulf Shores and Bradley John Lafleur, 34, of Orange Beach. Both were pronounced dead at the scene.

Both victims were employees at the hanger, and were flying a Century Scout single-engine plane. According to witnesses, it appeared that the plane was picking up an advertising banner when there was a technical failure. The men sent a distress signal, and the plane dropped the banner and crashed.

The Federal Aviation Administration was at the scene over the weekend to investigate further, followed by the National Transportation Safety Board.