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Published On: Sun, Aug 4th, 2013

Three South Carolina plane crash victims identified as James Major, Ken Piuma and Donnie Becker

A private twin-engine aircraft has crashed near a subdivision in South Carolina, killing all three people on board who have now been identified by authorities.

James Major

James Major

The Horry County Coroner, Robert Edge, identified the victims Saturday night as 39-year-old James Major of Conway, 42-year-old Kenneth Piuma of Myrtle Beach and 16-year-old Donald Dale Becker of Conway.

Edge said Major was piloting the plane when it apparently struck a power line while attempting to return to Conway-Horry County Airport Saturday afternoon.

“When they hit the power line, it set them nose down first,” Edge said to press.

Jessica Scott was driving on Dunn Shortcut Road, which is just over a mile from the airport, when she saw the plane just above the treeline.

“It was abnormally low; you could see something was wrong,” said Scott, who lives in the neighborhood.

The plane struck a utility pole and spun, then went into the pavement, said Scott, who could hear crackling, possibly from the electric lines sizzling. “Sparks were literally bouncing on the ground.”

Donnie Becker

Donnie Becker

The fire began when the plane struck the ground, she said.

Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Kathleen Bergen says the Beechcraft BE55 Baron was destroyed.

Kirk Lovell with the Horry County Department of Airports says the aircraft clipped some electrical wires when it went down, cutting power to the area.

The crash in Conway happened just 15 miles northwest of Myrtle Beach.

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About the Author

- Roxanne "Butter" Bracco began with the Dispatch as Pittsburgh Correspondent, but will be providing reports and insights from Washington DC, Maryland and the surrounding region. Contact Roxie aka "Butter" at theglobaldispatch@gmail ATTN: Roxie or Butter Bracco

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