Biplane crash kills 2 in SC

[Henk Voortwijs]

Two people died Monday evening when a private plane crashed in Calhoun County.

Calhoun County Coroner Donnie Porth confirmed the two deaths from the crash. He said the victims were a pilot and a passenger.

Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Kathleen Bergen said the plane went down around 7:15 p.m. Bergen said the aircraft caught fire and was destroyed.

The 911 call came in at 7:19 p.m. Monday. The plane was identified as a Starduster, a single-engine, two-seater biplane that has two wings.

The plane crashed seven miles north of St. Matthews just off U.S. 601 in the Fort Motte community, in a pine forest next to a field. Fort Motte is south of Congaree National Park, and is home to a few private hunt clubs.

Porth said he didn’t think he would be able to identify the victims until Tuesday afternoon.

FAA records show the plane was registered to Aeroscene Inc. of Wilmington, Del.

Investigating along with the FAA are the Fort Motte Fire Department, Calhoun County Search and Rescue, Calhoun County Sheriff’s Department, Calhoun County Emergency Medical Service, Calhoun County coroner’s office and Emergency Preparedness Agency of Calhoun County.

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