Tragic Plane Crash in Lady’s Island Involves USC Football Team
Lady’s Island – A tragic event shook the local community in December 1999 when a small propeller plane carrying members of the University of South Carolina Athletic Department crashed near Beaufort County Airport. The flight was piloted by veteran aviator Dewey “Sonny” Foster, accompanied by his co-pilot Joe Baier, as they approached the area to pick up Lou Holtz, the head coach of the Gamecocks football team.
Details of the Incident
The flight took off from Hilton Head airport on the evening of December 19, 1999. Foster, a skilled pilot with over two and a half years of flying experience, was navigating the Beech E-90 aircraft through cloudy skies when tragedy struck. According to a report from the National Transportation Safety Board, the plane began its descent at a rate of 480 feet per minute, but they were faced with challenges as night fell, leaving the pilots unable to see the horizon.
Co-pilot Baier reported seeing lights, yet he could not locate the airport. Suddenly, the aircraft collided with the ground, resulting in a devastating crash in a wooded area on Oak Island, approximately two nautical miles northeast of the airport. Following the impact, a fire erupted, complicating rescue efforts. Baier managed to escape the wreckage, providing assistance to rescuers by informing them that Foster was trapped inside the plane.
The Aftermath
Emergency response teams quickly arrived on the scene, where Beaufort County Sheriff P.J. Tanner recalled his first experience dealing with a plane crash as sheriff. Tanner emphasized the importance of securing the area and awaiting federal investigators. “Crime scenes are crime scenes. Doesn’t matter what type of scene it is. They’re all bad,” he explained.
Baier was transported to Beaufort Memorial Hospital suffering from injuries but was released after three days. Unfortunately, Foster did not survive the accident. His injuries included partial dislocation of the vertebrae in his neck which led to his untimely death. Holtz, who was waiting for Foster’s arrival, later reflected on the ordeal and acknowledged the emotional toll it took on him after the loss of his friend.
Holtz’s Reflection
Holtz was in the Lowcountry for a recruiting trip at the time of the crash and had developed a close friendship and trust with Foster through numerous flights together. Overcome with grief, he expressed, “This is not about me. It’s about losing a friend, but at the same time, I feel very blessed. I feel very lucky. At Christmas, I have a lot to be thankful for.” He went on to extend his condolences to Foster’s family.
Resilience and Legacy
Despite the tragedy, Holtz found the strength to continue his work with the Gamecocks. He successfully turned around the football program, securing back-to-back Outback Bowl victories in the following years. Holtz’s coaching career concluded in 2004, and he was later inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008. Throughout his remarkable 33 years in coaching, he led multiple teams to bowl games, including a national championship with Notre Dame.
Even at the age of 87, although he has retired from commentary duties, Holtz continues to engage with college football fans by sharing his thoughts on upcoming games through social media.
Conclusion
The tragic plane crash remains a somber memory for the University of South Carolina community, symbolizing the risks associated with air travel and the lasting bonds formed in the world of sports. It serves as a reminder of both the fragility of life and the resilience of those who continue to carry on in the face of loss.
