Crime & Safety
Final Report Out on Dewees Island Crash
NTSB says pilot was drinking; cause was overstress on aircraft.
The National Highway Transportation Safety Board says the pilot involved in last summer's fatal "flying boat" crash on Dewees Island had been drinking, didn't have the minimum licensing and was performing aerial stunts that caused one of the sport aircraft's wings to fold.
Lucas Smith and Carly Donohue were killed in the July 20, 2011, crash when their "flying boat" fell roughly 1,000 feet from the sky into shallow water near Dewees Island, the NTSB report states.
Find out what's happening in Mount Pleasantfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The federal agency ruled the crash was accidental, but the report notes problems with Smith, the pilot, who was a well-known motoryacht operator and business owner.
An examination of the aircraft showed no indication of damage prior to the flight and instead suggests it failed because of several "loops" that caused the aircraft's wing to fold. Witnesses reported seeing the aircraft enter three loops before falling from the sky.
Find out what's happening in Mount Pleasantfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
"Examination of the aircraft wreckage by an FAA Inspector showed no evidence of pre-accident malfunction," the NTSB report states. "Examination of the wing showed it failed due to overstress."
The report also notes Smith's lack of proper licensing. Read the full document.
"The pilot did not hold a pilot certificate," the NTSB investigator wrote. "The pilot required, at minimal, a sport pilot license to operate the flying boat."
Smith also had a blood-alcohol level of 0.069, according to an exam performed after his death at MUSC. FAA regulations prohibit piloting any aircraft with a BAC above 0.040.
Several witnesses saw the crash and rushed to provide help. One occupant was floating in the water and a second individual was trapped under water in the aircraft, the report states.
The crash prompted an outpouring of community support for Smith and Donohue. Friends recalled them both as gregarious adventure-chasers. Smith owned the motoryacht Southern Comfort. Donohue was his first mate on the boat.
DON'T MISS A HEADLINE: Follow Mount Pleasant Patch on Facebook and subscribe to our daily and breaking news updates for all the latest happenings.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
