Masters’ Bermuda Triangle: Air banners disappear (UPDATED)

The plane pulling two banners mocking Tiger Woods Thursday has been grounded. (Curtis Compton/AJC)

(UPDATE BELOW)

AUGUSTA — It’s one thing for Augusta National to make squirrels disappear. But how does a golf club make an entire airplane disappear?

Maybe you’ve heard this by now: The plane that pulled two banners mocking the infidelities of Tiger Woods has been grounded (kinda, sorta) by the FAA. The single-engine Cessna, according to the FAA, was prevented from continuing its mission because of a minor mechanical issue.

How minor? Try this: A worn out tag on the seat belts, according to TMZ. This made for such a dangerous situation that the FAA told the pilot to fly back to Genoa, Ohio, for repairs.

Wait a minute.

So the plane can’t circle Augusta National because of a safety issue. But it can fly back to Ohio?

Is this really the most important issue facing the FAA this week, or is somebody just trying to get a tee time?

If you’re a little suspicious about all of this, welcome to the club. It appears Augusta National’s power knows no bounds. I just have two questions: 1) Which member of the FAA also is a member of Augusta National; 2) Which member of the FAA is the next one to be fitted for a green jacket?

A Toledo, Ohio, advertising agency handled the arrangements for the flyover but wouldn’t disclose who purchased the banners and “air” time. Jim Miller of Air America Ariels Ads told our Rhonda Cook that six different banners would be pulled during the tournament, adding, “Keep your eyes open. They get better and better.”

That was before the Green Monster stepped in.

UPDATE

Kathleen Bergen of the FAA told Rhonda Cook that the plane was grounded for the seat belt issue and “other minor mechanical” problems. She acknowledged that the pilot would not have been allowed to fly back to Ohio is the issues were significant. “We don’t have any restrictions [flying] over the Masters,” she said. “We don’t restrict flights over celebrity events. We had no issue with the conduct of the flight.”

♦

Follow me on Twitter @JeffSchultzAJC and on Facebook.com/JeffSchultzAJC

♦

Recent Posts on Tiger Woods and Masters

♦ My Day 2 challenge at the Masters: Avoid Tiger Woods

♦ Nothing to lampoon about Tiger Woods’ return to golf

♦ It’s Tiger time: Do you prefer success or failure?

♦ Against all odds, Woods shouldn’t be counted out

♦ Playing in Par 3 would’ve been a nice gesture by Woods

♦ David Duval makes it back to Masters from abyss

♦ Masters Digi-Blog II: In search of squirrels

♦ After Tiger Woods’ mea culpa, it’s time for us all to back off

♦ On stage, Woods performs as well as we could’ve expected

♦ Live from the Tiger News Network: Relaxed, jovial, still good

♦ Tiger Woods still has something to answer (but not about sex)

♦ Digi-Blog goes in search of Tiger Woods

♦ As week begins, Masters is in Tiger Woods’ shadow

♦ Tiger’s latest women problems: His kindergarten teacher

♦ Woods making the right call on returning at the Masters

♦ Woods’ safest return is on golf’s biggest stage: Masters

♦ Countdown: Holyfield KOs Dr. Phil, and that Tiger gal can act!

♦ Tiger Woods can go in either direction after public humiliation

♦ Woods: ‘I thought I could get away with whatever I wanted’

♦ Over/under on how many times Woods says, ’sorry’: 5 1/2

♦ Tiger Woods trying to control an uncontrollable situation