Pilot killed in Lee County plane crash identified

LEE COUNTY, S.C. (WIS) - A deadly plane crash was reported in Lee County on Thursday.

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office said the crash happened in the area of Red Top Road in Lynchburg.

The Federal Aviation Administration later said the plane, a Weatherly 620B, crashed in a field at around 8:15 a.m.

The pilot was the only person on board and died, officials said.

The Lee County Coroner identified him as 49-year-old Robert Edward Hopkins, Jr.

Officials confirmed the plane was typically used for crop dusting.

Community reaction

A Lee County resident called the crash “shocking.”

Steve Windham, a Lynchburg business owner, said seeing crop dusters fly is common in the area.

“Well, when they crop dusting, he just scoops in, scoops down and sprays the field real good and then get to the edge of the woods and shoot back up in the air. And it’s gone again, you know, and he just does it over and over until it gets the field completely crop dusted,” Windham said.

Windham also said the crash was unusual.

“I’ve never heard of a plane, a crop duster crashing. This is the first time I’ve heard of one crashing. I’ve seen them go under the power lines, I’ve seen them go over the power lines, and I would think you would hear more crashing. But this is the first time in my life that I’ve ever heard of a crop duster crashing. The family, I feel for them and may God be with them, and uh, I just don’t know, it’s just one of those things, you know,” Windham said.

Windham said the community is close-knit.

“Yeah, everybody around here knows each other and so we try to help one another out. Because it’s a small community, we all try to stay together and help one another,” Windham said.

Investigation continues

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Lee County EMS, Lee County Fire and the coroner’s office responded to the scene.

Lee County officials are also asking residents and drivers to avoid the area. The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating.

This is a developing story. Stay with WIS for updates.

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