News Summary
A tragic plane crash near Tabor City, North Carolina, has claimed the lives of Spartanburg residents Philip and Cheryle Porter. The couple was aboard a twin-engine Beechcraft en route to North Myrtle Beach when their aircraft went down. Emergency services responded quickly to the scene, where wreckage was scattered over a wide area. An investigation is underway by the NTSB, focusing on the pilot, the aircraft, and the operating environment, as the community mourns the sudden loss of the couple.
SPARTANBURG, SC – A tragic plane crash claimed the lives of a Spartanburg couple on Saturday, June 14, 2025. Philip Porter, 69, and his wife Cheryle Porter, 66, were traveling in a twin-engine Beechcraft when their aircraft went down in Tabor City, North Carolina, on its way to Grand Strand Airport in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
The crash occurred at approximately 12:47 PM. The Columbus County Sheriff’s Office reported that the aircraft was flying at approximately 250 mph when it went down near Old Dothan Road. Following the incident, deputies received emergency calls shortly after 1 PM, leading to a rapid response to the scene.
According to FlightAware, the aircraft was traveling at 267 mph just before the crash, suggesting a high-energy impact. The wreckage of the plane was found scattered over a 300-foot area and was thrust through treetops, indicating the severity of the incident. The North Carolina State Highway Patrol confirmed the identities of the victims on June 16, 2025.
Philip Porter had been a certified pilot since 2013. Preliminary accounts from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) indicated that no distress signals were emitted from the aircraft before the crash, and it lacked a black box for further evidence analysis. The NTSB’s investigation will focus on three factors: the pilot, the aircraft, and the flight’s operating environment.
This tragic event has shocked the local community. Neighbors reported that small planes often fly over the region, but such incidents are rare. Columbus County officials are asking anyone with information relevant to the crash to come forward via an email set up by the NTSB for collect witness accounts and insights.
The crash investigation is expected to take several months, with an assessment of the probable causes anticipated to take around 18 months to complete. Investigators responded to the scene under challenging conditions, as the crash site featured muddy terrain and dense concentrations of fallen trees, complicating their examination efforts.
The couple’s sudden loss has sent ripples of sorrow throughout Spartanburg, where they were known members of the community. As the investigation unfolds, the focus will be directed towards understanding the circumstances leading up to the crash and identifying any contributing factors. Information from this tragic event will be vital for enhancing aviation safety and preventing similar accidents in the future.
The community mourns the Porters and offers condolences to their family and friends during this mourning period. As details continue to emerge, further updates will be provided on the progress of the investigation into this devastating incident.
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Additional Resources
- WECT: NTSB Investigating Plane Crash Near Tabor City
- Wikipedia: Aviation Safety
- WPDE: Investigators Seek Answers in Tabor City Plane Crash
- Google Search: Plane Crash Investigation
- WMBF News: New Details on Plane Crash Near Tabor City
- Google Scholar: Aviation Accident Investigation
- WLOS: Plane Crashes in Tabor City
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Air Traffic Control
- Go Upstate: Plane Crash Kills Two from Spartanburg County
- Google News: Tabor City Plane Crash
Author: STAFF HERE MYRTLE BEACH
The HERE Myrtle Beach Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Myrtle Beach community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Myrtle Beach Our team includes lifelong Myrtle Beach residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent developments along the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach’s tourism and hospitality industry, and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Coastal Carolina University programs). Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
