Rescue crews responded to an aircraft in the water near the Myrtle Beach State Park on Monday.
The plane was removed from the water and taken to a salvage area. NTSB and the FAA are continuing to investigate.
Lt. Jonathan Evans, with Myrtle Beach Fire Department, confirmed local rescue crews responded to a call about an aircraft in the water near the Myrtle Beach State and the Springmaid Pier on Monday afternoon around 2 p.m.
“Myrtle Beach Fire Water Rescue crews are responding to a reported plane crash in the ocean surf near Springmaid Pier,” according to a tweet from MBFD. “There was only 1 person on board at the time of the crash. The pilot is safe on the beach at this time.”
“Small plane reported in the water near Springmaid Beach and MB State Park. No info on injuries, we have units responding,” Battalion Chief John Fowler, with Horry County Fire Rescue.
Kirk Lovell, the Director of Air Service and Business Development at the Myrtle Beach airport, said a general aviation aircraft is down in the water and the number of people onboard is unknown.
Evans also said the pilot was taken to the hospital, but his injuries are unknown.
MBFD Chief Tom Gwyer told News13, “my understanding is there were possible critical injuries.” Gwyer indicated HCFR transported the pilot to Grand Strand Medical Center.
Shortly before the plane went down, air traffic audio reveals that the pilot said he was experiencing moderate turbulence. It was raining in the Myrtle Beach area at the time.
Information from FlightAware.com, a flight tracking website, indicates the plane departed from CBE in Cumberland, Maryland around 12:30 Monday afternoon. The plane was a Rockwell Turbo Commander 690, according to FlightAware.com.
FAA records show the plane is registered to C&C Flying LLC, out of West Virginia.
According to West Virginia’s Secretary of State website, C&C Flying, LLC supports activities for mining.
WBTW News13 will provide updates as we receive them.
