PAWLEYS ISLAND, S.C. — William Roger Williamson III was charged with breach of peace, aggravated in nature, after surrendering to the Georgetown County Sheriff's Office on May 26. A Georgetown County judge approved an arrest warrant on May 19 after Williamson failed to respond to a Federal Aviation Administration letter within the specified 30-day timeframe. Jail records show Williamson was released from custody on a $5,000 bond on the same day he surrendered.
On April 10, Williamson, 50, piloted a single-engine aircraft over Pawleys Island, S.C. Several witnesses reported the aircraft flew low over the water before turning toward the beach and nearby residential structures. Pawleys Island Town Councilman Mark Hawn and Pawleys Island Police Chief Michael Fanning were on the beach when the aircraft passed overhead.
A bystander photographed the aircraft's tail number, which investigators subsequently traced directly to Williamson. The FAA opened an investigation into the flight and contacted him. Williamson told FAA investigators that ice formed on a carburetor and a control knob detached while he was attempting to deice the component.
He stated that he resolved the mechanical issue and regained control of the aircraft before climbing to a higher altitude. FAA investigators stated that standard pilot training requires directing an aircraft toward the water or along the shoreline when preparing for an emergency landing. The FAA sent Williamson a letter requiring a response within 30 days, which he did not provide.
As part of the ongoing investigation into the flight, a witness on the beach described the aircraft's flight path. "He turned and he just sort of zeroed in on us like he was dive bombing, and just started straight for us, so close. We sort of dove out of our beach chairs because we literally thought he was going to crash into the beach."