Cessna 310 Impacted Water Just Short Of Myrtle Beach Runway

Divers just off the coast of Myrtle Beach (SC) continued their search Monday for 34-year old James Moore, pilot of a Cessna 310 (file photo of type, below) that crashed in the water on approach to Grand Strand Airport.

Although Moore apparently escaped the wreckage, he never made it to shore and is now presumed dead, according to local rescuers.

Three other people on board were able to swim to safety Sunday. "They are shaken up, but their condition is good," said North Myrtle Beach Fire Chief Tom Barstow in an interview with the Myrtle Beach Sun-News.

Boaters who witnessed the water landing rushed to the site to help, pulling at least one of the three survivors from the waterway.

"The current is very, very strong. That is certainly hampering the rescue efforts at this point," said Dave King, chief of the North Myrtle Beach Department of Public Safety. "The individual missing was very near shore, but tired and went under and hasn't been seen at this point."

Divers searched in about 15 feet of water for Moore until well after dark Sunday night, but surfaced empty-handed.

Two of the survivors who were able to swim out of the wreckage were identified as 25-year old Eric Long of Cartersville (GA) and 34-year old Carl E. McKinney of Atlanta. The third survivor wasn't immediately identified by authorities.

The FAA said Moore was on approach to Grand Strand when he radioed the tower that he had lost power. He told the controller that he was going to land in the water.

The Intracoastal Waterway, where the crash occurred, was closed Monday as divers continued their search.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov