Five confirmed dead in aftermath of North Myrtle Beach plane crash

Five people were killed in a July 2 plane crash in North Myrtle Beach, the FAA and Horry County Coroner’s Office said on Monday.

Officials said the investigation remains ongoing, and identities of those involved have not yet been released.

Tamara Willard, the county’s chief deputy coroner, said July 3 that four people, including the plane’s pilot, died on scene. A fifth person died shortly after at the Grand Strand Regional Medical Center.

Willard said officials are still working to contact next of kin before releasing the victims’ names.

In its initial report, the FAA said a single-engine Piper PA32 crashed under “unknown circumstances” soon after departing from a Grand Strand Airport runway late Sunday morning.

The aircraft is registered to Joseph Farnese, an aviation medical examiner from North Caldwell, New Jersey. No further information was immediately available.

The incident happened around 11:30 a.m., near Dye Course at Barefoot Resort.

North Myrtle Beach Police spokesman Patrick Wilkinson said Pete Dye Drive at Barefoot Resort will remain closed through July 4 as the investigation continues.

This story was originally published July 3, 2023 at 2:07 PM.