What happened
On the evening of the accident, an aircraft departed from Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR) in South Carolina, bound for Grand Strand Airport (CRE). After communicating with air traffic control and indicating readiness for departure from runway 18, the pilot received clearance to take off, with instructions to maintain a runway heading and climb to 1,700 feet mean sea level.
Shortly after becoming airborne, the pilot requested to return to the original runway. Air traffic controllers directed the pilot to enter a right-hand closed traffic pattern at an altitude of 1,500 feet mean sea level. As the aircraft transitioned to the downwind leg of this pattern, its altitude fluctuated significantly, dropping to approximately 1,000 feet, then 450 feet, rising briefly to 700 feet, and falling again to 475 feet.
During this period of altitude instability, the pilot's radio communications ceased, except for a single distress call. When the controller inquired if any assistance was needed, the pilot responded that they were in trouble. Following this transmission, radar contact was lost. The aircraft subsequently struck a field, where the impact and a subsequent fire resulted in the total destruction of the plane. The pilot, who was the only person on board, was killed.
Findings
- The aircraft experienced uncontrolled altitude fluctuations while attempting to fly a closed traffic pattern.
- The pilot explicitly declared they were in trouble via radio prior to the loss of radar contact.