Plane crash-lands on Hilton Head beach, killing jogger
Posted: Mar 16, 2010 10:42 AM EDT Updated: Mar 16, 2010 4:10 PM EDTSource: WCSC
Source: WTOC
Source: NBC
HILTON HEAD, SC (WIS) - A jogger listening to his iPod on the Hilton Head beach didn't hear a plane making an emergency landing behind him until it was too late, investigators believe.
Robert Gary Jones, 38, of Woodstock, Ga. was killed when he was hit by a malfunctioning experimental plane that was trying to land in the Palmetto Dunes area of Hilton Head Island Monday evening.
Beaufort County Coroner Ed Allen said Jones was wearing headphones and listening to his iPod while jogging on the beach, which is why he probably didn't hear the plane. Investigators also say the plane's engine had been shut down, making it even quieter.
The plane's flight crew could not see Jones because of an oil leak that sprayed oil over the windshield and diminished their visibility.Jones' mother, Pauline Jones of Florida, says her son was in Hilton Head on business, and was excited to be going home Wednesday to see his wife and two children and celebrate his daughter's birthday.
He was a salesman for drug company GlaxoSmithKline and traveled often for business. His mother says he loved fishing, cooking and sports.
A fire and rescue spokesperson said the Lancair IV-P single engine plane crash-landed just after 6pm Monday. The pilot said he was flying from Orlando to Virginia, when the plane developed an oil leak, which then covered the windshield in oil.
Then the propeller fell off, he said. The pilot told investigators he tried to make it to the Hilton Head airport, but had to ditch the plane on the beach.
Neither the pilot nor his passenger were injured. Their names have not been released.
Lancair's website describes the IV-P as a 345 mph, four seat, pressurized aircraft.
Palmetto Dunes is a beachfront resort destination on the East Coast. It is 2,000 acres and sits along three miles of the Atlantic Ocean.Hilton Head Island Fire Rescue, the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office, the Beaufort County Coroner's Office and Beaufort County Emergency Management all responded Monday.
A portion of the Palmetto Dunes beach is closed off as crews work to remove the plane from the water. Heavy equipment was brought in to lift the plane and firefighters are assisting.
The investigation is being turned over to the National Traffic Safety Board and the FAA.
