Deadly North Myrtle Beach plane crash still in ‘early’ stages of investigation

NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WMBF) - The National Transportation Safety Board is expected to be back at the scene of a deadly plane crash Monday as they continue to investigate what caused the plane to go down.

However, according to an official with the NTSB, that information will take some time.

A single-engine Piper PA-32 came down two miles northwest of the Grand Strand Airport in North Myrtle Beach after departing the runway around 11:20 a.m. Sunday.

The coroner’s office confirmed that five people died from the crash. Four died on the scene while one person was taken to the hospital and later died.

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NTSB spokesperson Keith Holloway says the plane crashed under unknown circumstances.

An NTSB investigator is expected to continue to examine the aircraft on Monday and gather information needed for the investigation, according to Holloway.

However, Holloway does not anticipate much information on the crash being released Monday.

“It is important to note that NTSB does not determine cause in the early part of the investigative process,” Holloway stated in an email. “This is considered the fact-gathering phase of the investigation.”

While a preliminary report on the crash may be available in the next 10-12 business days, Holloway said a typical NTSB investigation can take 12-24 months to complete.

Holloway added the type of aircraft can also impact the length of the investigation.

Pilot medical and flying history, aircraft maintenance, and even weather conditions are just some of the factors investigators take into account.

The plane crash marks the fourth one that has happened in the Grand Strand since May of 2021.

Also as of 2021, the NTSB said 149 plane crashes have happened in South Carolina, with 24 being deadly.

The FAA told WMBF News, they examine nine specific factors as part of every accident investigation:

1. Performance of FAA facilities or functions (including oversight responsibilities).
2. Performance of non-FAA owned and operated air traffic control (ATC) facilities or navigational aids.
3. Airworthiness of FAA-certificated aircraft.
4. Competency of FAA-certificated airmen, air agencies, commercial operators, or air carriers.
5. Adequacy of Federal Aviation Regulations.
6. Airport certification safety standards or operations.
7. Security standards or operations and/or hazardous materials.
8. Airman medical qualifications.
9. Violation of Federal Aviation Regulations.

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