Pilot Charged After Low Beach Flybys Spark Alarm | Aero-News Network

Witnesses Describe Repeated Low Passes That Prompted FAA Investigation And Criminal Charges Beachgoers on South Carolina's Pawleys Island thought they were about to witness a crash. Now, weeks after a series of alarming low altitude flybys, the pilot at the center of the incident has been charged and arrested. Newly released details and witness accounts are shedding light on an event that continues to raise questions about aviation safety and pilot judgment. A South Carolina pilot is facing criminal charges after witnesses reported a small aircraft repeatedly flying at an extremely low altitude over a crowded stretch of beach on Pawleys Island. The incident occurred on April 10, when Georgetown County deputies received multiple calls about an aircraft making low passes near Atlantic Avenue and beachfront homes. Several witnesses told authorities the airplane appeared dangerously close to the sand, with some fearing it would crash into the beach or nearby houses. One beachgoer described the experience as terrifying, telling local media that the pilot "zeroed in" on her family before making three passes overhead. According to her account, the aircraft appeared to be heading directly toward them, causing family members to dive from their beach chairs in fear of an impact. Another witness claimed the airplane came so close to a beachfront home that it nearly clipped the structure with one of its wheels. The aircraft was later traced through its tail number to William Roger Williamson III of Florence, South Carolina. During an FAA investigation, Williamson reportedly said he experienced carburetor icing shortly after takeoff and was attempting to address the issue when a control knob came off, causing the airplane to briefly dip before he regained control. FAA investigators were not convinced by the explanation. According to the incident report, investigators noted that emergency situations should generally be managed over water or along the shoreline where safer landing options exist, rather than directing an aircraft toward populated areas. Witness statements indicating multiple low passes further intensified concerns. After Williamson failed to respond to an FAA enforcement letter within the required thirty day period, authorities pursued legal action. A Georgetown County judge approved an arrest warrant on May 19, and Williamson later turned himself in. He was charged with breach of peace, aggravated in nature, and released on a $5,000 bond. While the legal process will determine the final outcome, the incident serves as a reminder that public confidence in general aviation is built on professionalism, sound decision making, and a commitment to safety. Moments like these can leave a lasting impression not only on those directly involved, but also on the broader aviation community that works every day to earn the public's trust.