Two killed in Tabor City plane wreck after aircraft diverts from planned Grand Strand landing

HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) — Two people were killed after a small plane crashed just over the South Carolina line, diverted from its flight path due to poor weather.

Tabor City Fire Chief Jeff Fowler told WSPA Sunday that crews were called to an area near Old Dothan Road for a reported airplane wreck. The twin-engine Beechcraft was en route to Grand Strand Airport in North Myrtle Beach from Spartanburg, according to flight records.

Prior to Saturday, the plane most recently flew from Spartanburg to Grand Strand Airport on June 2.

The aircraft’s N-82UC tail number is registered under Majesty Air, Inc. in Wilmington, Del. a limited liability company established in July 2022. The plane was built in 1972.

Fowler said it took nearly two hours and assistance from a helicopter to locate the plane. The identities of those on board have not been released.

Air traffic control chatter obtained by News13 provides some insight into the search.

“I got some smoke in the trees at my nine ‘o clock. I’m on a zero-four-zero heading. I saw him on my (database),” a pilot says.

According to FAA records, the airplane departed Spartanburg just before 11:30 a.m. Saturday, reached a maximum altitude of 6,850 feet by 11:45 a.m. and was last tracked by radar at 12:44 p.m.

Robert Katz, a commercial pilot with more than 43 years of experience, believes the crash could have been prevented with a more conservative approach.

“It appears that his flight from Spartanburg was pretty much routine for the most part until he gets into the Myrtle Beach area where is warned about heavy weather. He’s not unaware of it,” Katz said. “He attempts to approach Grand Strand at exactly the wrong time, when severe weather is in the vicinity.”

Flight tracking data shows the airplane circling away from Grand Strand into the Tabor City area.

“He is, in effect, scared off, and then attempts to escape the area to the northwest only to find himself in thicker weather at that point, which overtakes him,” Katz said.