Beechcraft D55 Baron, Major Aviation LLC, N7641N: Accident occurred August 03, 2013 in Conway, South Carolina

http://registry.faa.gov/N7641N

NTSB Identification: ERA13FA348
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Saturday, August 03, 2013 in Conway, SC
Aircraft: BEECH D55, registration: N7641N
Injuries: 3 Fatal.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. NTSB investigators either traveled in support of this investigation or conducted a significant amount of investigative work without any travel, and used data obtained from various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.

On August 3, 2013, about 1250 eastern daylight time, a Beech D55, N7641N, owned and operated by a private individual, was destroyed by postimpact fire/explosion when it impacted a telephone pole and then terrain near Conway, South Carolina. The private pilot and two passengers were fatally injured. The flight departed from Conway-Horry County Airport (HYW), Conway, South Carolina, about 1200. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight which was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.

According to witnesses, they heard the airplane approaching from the southwest and noticed it was extremely low. The airplane then executed a steep right turn, leveled its wings, and begun to rock side to side. The airplane descended and its left wing impacted a telephone pole at an estimated height of 30 feet above ground level. The airplane then spun approximately 180 degrees and impacted terrain, exploding shortly after impact.

The accident site was located at the entrance of a residential neighborhood, about 2 miles to the north of the approach end of runway 22 at HYW. The wreckage was oriented about 305 degrees magnetic. All flight control surfaces were accounted for at the scene. A piece of the left wing spar and panel were found about 20 feet from the wreckage. Flight control continuity was confirmed for the elevator and rudder to the aft cabin area, but due to the postcrash fire continuity could not be confirmed for the ailerons. The right engine’s propeller blades exhibited postcrash impact damage with minimal leading edge and rotational signature damage. Two of the left engine’s propeller blades exhibited S-curve bending and tip curling. The third propeller blade was located about 190 feet north of the wreckage and exhibited S-curve bending.

A handheld GPS receiver, two smart phones, iPad mini, and a Garmin GTN 750, were recovered from the wreckage and forwarded to the NTSB Vehicle Recorders Laboratory for data download. The two engines will be retained for further examination.



The funeral plans have been announced for 2 men and a teen boy who were killed when a private plane crash on Saturday afternoon in Conway.

The plane, a Beechcraft D55 Baron, crashed around 1:20 pm near the Wood Creek subdivision.

The victims, who were not related were: Kenneth Piuma, 42, of the Myrtle Beach area; Donald Dale Becker, 16, of Conway and James Major, 39, also of Conway who is believed to be the pilot.

Here is the funeral info for each person from the funeral homes' website:

Donald Dale Becker 16, died Saturday, August 3, 2013.
He is survived by his father Darren Dale Becker and mother Rhonda Bowling Becker; sisters Jamie, Jennifer, MaKayla Becker; grandparents Don and Patty Becker and Charles and Rita Fletcher. Memorial service will be held at 5:00 pm on Thursday, August 08, 2013 at St. James High School. Family will hold a service in Missouri at a later date. Grand Strand Funeral Home and Crematory are serving the family.

James W. Major, Jr., age 39, of Eastwoods Drive, died Saturday, August 3, 2013.
James was born in Pompton Plains, NJ, a son of James W. Major, Sr. and Beth Major. He was a graduate of Conway High School, was owner and operator of Major Machine Inc. and attended Christ United Methodist Church. James enjoyed a number of hobbies including flying airplanes, scuba diving, spear fishing and boating. Surviving in addition to his parents of Conway are, his wife, Tina M. Major of Conway, a son, James David Major of Conway, a step-daughter, Laikyn Haney of Conway, a sister, Brenda A. Major of Conway, a niece, Ali Major of Conway, and paternal grandmother, Alma Major of Crosby, TX. Memorial services will be held 2:00 PM Wednesday at Goldfinch Funeral Home, Conway Chapel with Rev. Jeff Dunn officiating. The family will receive friends from 12:30 - 2:00 PM Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be sent to Boston Terrier Rescue of SC, 11 Dogwood Glen Court, North Augusta , SC 29860.  Goldfinch Funeral Home, Conway Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Kenneth J. Piuma, beloved son, father and brother, died on Saturday, August 3, 2013.
Born in Abington, PA, Ken was a son of Raymond and Mary Anne Piuma. Ken enjoyed hunting, the outdoors and was the kind of guy that didn't fear anything, but most of all he will be remembered for his love and devotion to his daughter. Survivors include his significant other Kara Stilley of Myrtle Beach; his daughter Kirsten Piuma; loving parents Raymond and Mary Anne Piuma; ex-wife Kelly Piuma; Charles Jacob Sr; sisters Barbara Blei, Charlene Chay; brothers Charles Jacob Jr, Chris Piuma, Phillip Piuma and many loving Aunts, Uncles, nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held 11 am, Thursday August 8, 2013 at Goldfinch Funeral Home, Beach Chapel.

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