A pilot has been arrested after a dramatic low-altitude flight over a South Carolina beach left beachgoers fearing a plane crash was imminent.
Videos by Wide Open Country
William Roger Williamson III, 50, claims he lost control of the single-engine aircraft. Which caused it to suddenly descend toward the shoreline.
Williamson was taken into custody by the Georgetown County Sheriff's Office on May 26 following an investigation into the incident.
Plane Dive Bomb Scare Sends Beachgoers Running for Cover
According to authorities, Williamson had chartered the aircraft for a solo flight in early April. He was flying over Pawleys Island when the alarming incident unfolded.
Witnesses said the plane veered dangerously close to the beach, sparking panic among people enjoying the shoreline.
Video obtained by WMBF News appears to show the aircraft turning toward the beach and flying just above beachgoers.
Several witnesses said they believed the plane was about to crash.
"He turned and he just sort of zeroed in on us like he was dive bombing, and just started straight for us, so close," a witness said. "We sort of dove out of our beach chairs, because we literally thought he was going to crash into the beach."
The witness added that she feared the aircraft could strike a family before it eventually pulled away.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
