Airplane Makes Emergency Landing at Myrtle Beach Airport After Door Falls Off, FAA Says
Myrtle Beach, SC – In a harrowing event that occurred earlier this week, a small airplane was forced to make an emergency landing at Myrtle Beach International Airport when a door became dislodged mid-flight. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has confirmed the incident.
Unexpected Incident
The detached door tumbled to the ground and ended up in a residential yard in the Market Common neighborhood. Wendy Hodges, a local resident and eyewitness who took pictures of the detached door, stated, “It was all intact and it was lying nicely between the two homes.” She also expressed her astonishment and concern about the safety of the pilot and the passenger of the aircraft.
The Diamond DA40, a small single-engine plane operated by Indianapolis-based Lift Aircraft LLC, had to alter its original route which was headed to Florence Regional Airport. Flight data reveals that the plane made a quick turnaround seven minutes after initial takeoff, reaching a maximum altitude of 1,500 feet.
Anonymous Heroes
Two people were aboard the instructional flight. Despite the terrifying ordeal and the minor damage to the aircraft, they both emerged unscathed.
Statements from affiliated Parties
In a statement to the press, a spokesperson for Lift discussed the response of the flight crew to the incident. “Shortly after takeoff, one of our aircraft experienced the loss of a cabin door. The crew aboard executed their standard response procedure to return to the field and landed without incident,” they commented. They also mentioned that the door will be examined as part of the investigation into the incident.
Past Incidents
This is not the first time a plane registered to Lift Training Academy has had to make an emergency landing. A similar incident occurred in May where a plane had to land on Highway 501 in Horry County.
Investigation Underway
The FAA has opened an investigation into the incident. No statement has been released yet by representatives from Myrtle Beach International Airport. With the aircraft door already recovered from the residential yard and now part of the FAA investigation, residents and aviation enthusiasts are keenly awaiting the results of the investigation which will hopefully prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
In the Aftermath
While the incident has surely caused distress and raised safety concerns among the local population, no physical injuries or property damage were reported. The swift and professional response of the crew in averting a potential catastrophe was commendable and resulted in the plane landing at the airport without further incident.
Awaiting Updates
Updates regarding the situation will be provided as soon as more information becomes available. As the investigation continues, the focus turns to the examination of the aircraft and the potential causes and implications of the detached door.
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.
