Aviation Investigation Preliminary Report

Location: North Myrtle Beach, SC Accident Number: ERA23FA280

Date & Time: July 2, 2023, 11:02 Local Registration: N5524F

Aircraft: Piper PA-32R-300 Injuries: 5 Fatal

Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On July 2, 2023, at 11:02 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-32R-300, N5524F, was destroyed
when in was involved in an accident near North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The private pilot
and four passengers were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of
Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
According to family members, the occupants departed in the airplane from Essex County
Airport (CDW), Caldwell, New Jersey, on June 30, 2023, destined for Grand Strand Airport
(CRE), North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, for a vacation. A ramp employee at CRE confirmed
that the pilot requested a full fuel “top-off” for the airplane upon arrival.
On the day of the accident, surveillance video at CRE recorded a portion of the airplane’s
takeoff. The video revealed that the airplane climbed from the runway at a shallow ascent, with
a nose high pitch attitude, until it was out of the camera’s view.
A witness at a nearby golf course reported that he observed a single-engine airplane taking off
from CRE. The airplane was having difficulty gaining altitude and the vertical and horizontal
stabilizer were buffeting slightly. The airplane’s angle-of-attack increased significantly but
appeared to decrease momentarily and repeatedly, with small gains in altitude each time.
There were no visible or audible indications of any engine issues. As the airplane continued the
takeoff, it turned right while still at a low altitude, slow speed, and without gaining additional
altitude. The airplane then leveled-off and veered right for approximately 10-15 seconds, while
maintaining a high angle-of-attack. Subsequently, the right wing “stalled.” The witness
observed the underside of the airplane as it quickly descended to the ground in a right turn
behind trees, which was followed by the sound of an impact and an immediate fireball.
The airplane came to rest on an access road within the property of the golf course, oriented on
a magnetic heading of 170°. All major components of the airplane were located at the accident
site. The engine was impact and fire damaged. The fuselage from the firewall to the

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This information is preliminary and subject to change.
empennage, which included the cockpit and instrument panel, was destroyed by both fire and
impact damage. Despite the condition of the wreckage, flight control cable continuity was
established.
The airplane was recovered for further examination.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Piper Registration: N5524F

Model/Series: PA-32R-300 NO SERIES Aircraft Category: Airplane

Amateur Built:
Operator: Operating Certificate(s) None
Held:
Operator Designator Code:
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: VMC Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KHYW,33 ft msl Observation Time: 11:15 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 7 Nautical Miles Temperature/Dew Point: 30°C /23°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Scattered / 2600 ft AGL Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 4 knots / , 200°
Lowest Ceiling: Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.02 inches Hg Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: North Myrtle Beach, SC Destination:

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Passenger Injuries: 4 Fatal Aircraft Fire: On-ground
Ground Injuries: N/A Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 5 Fatal Latitude, Longitude: 33.903889,-79.005556 (est)

Administrative Information
Investigator In Charge (IIC):
Additional Participating Persons:
Note:
Alleyne, Eric
Todd Clamp; FAA/FSDO; West Columbia, SC
Dave Harsanyi; Lycoming Engines; Williamsport, PA
Kris Wetherell ; Piper; Vero Beach, FL

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This information is preliminary and subject to change.