Pilot and plane remain under 120 feet of water in SC lake after weekend crash. What we know

The body of a pilot and a Beech aircraft remained under 120 feet of water Tuesday after crashing into Lake Hartwell on Saturday.

Divers were able to determine the pilot is in the aircraft using a remote-controlled vehicle, and that he is the only one inside the six-seater.

Hart County Sheriff’s Captain Chris Carroll told WYFF divers could not reach the plane over the weekend because of the depth and murky conditions. He said the plane is sitting among trees and other debris at the bottom of one of the deepest parts of the lake, which lies between South Carolina and Georgia.

“The witnesses on scene said they saw the plane circling,” Carroll told WYFF. “The plane went up into the clouds and it came back down spiraling and it hit the water. It was probably 40 seconds before they got over to it and it had already gone under.”

Federal Aviation Administration records show the single-engine plane is registered in Punta Gorda, Florida, which was its point of origin Saturday morning. Flight Aware says the plane took off at 9:40 a.m. and for the last 30 to 40 minutes of the flight gained and lost altitude several times before crashing.

The National Transportation and Safety Board said the pilot had clearance to land the Beech BE55 at the Anderson Regional Airport.

The federal agency said in a news release it was working with the insurance company and a salvage company on recovery efforts.