Raleigh pilot's body found in wreckage in Croatan Sound

MANTEO, N.C. — Rescue divers in Dare County recovered the body of a Raleigh pilot from the wreckage of a plane in Croatan Sound on Monday.

The body of Greg Carlisle, 49, was found Monday in the wreckage of the two-engine airplane that crashed Sunday morning in Croatan Sound. Carlisle's father, Jack Carlisle, said his son was flying along the coast to earn hours in the cockpit to maintain his certification.

Authorities said Greg Carlisle landed just short of the airfield due to dense fog.

A family friend, who was interested in becoming a pilot, was also in the plane when it crashed, Jack Carlisle said. Greg Carlisle freed her from her seatbelt and opened the door of the sinking plane to help her get out safely.

Rescuers pulled her from the water and took her to Outer Banks Hospital. Her name and condition were not released.

Shortly before the crash, authorities said, Greg Carlisle was in touch with Dare County Regional Airport, where he was headed. At that point, there was no sign of trouble.

Authorities had searched for Carlisle until sundown Sunday and resumed their search Monday.

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Carlisle had received his most recent certification – for instrument flying – in August 2011, according to the FAA’s Airmen Registry of licensed pilots.

He had passed his pilot’s medical exam in February 2011, when he was first licensed. He qualified for multiengine aircraft two months later.

The Seneca was manufactured in 1978 and was most recently certified as airworthy in August 2011.

michellecarlisle
January 15, 2013 7:07 p.m.

***WOW. I AM AMAZED. . . LET A MAN DIE AND WATCH HOW THE VULTURES COME OUT B/C HE BUILT AN ETHANOL PLANT... AND NOW IS PART-OWNER OF A 35 YEAR OLD PLANE...

AS FAR AS RATING... THINK IT WOULD BE WISE TO CHECK BEFORE POSTING WHAT SEEMS TO BE IGNORANT STATEMENTS

Carlisle had received his most recent certification – for instrument flying – in August 2011, according to the FAA’s Airmen Registry of licensed pilots.

He had passed his pilot’s medical exam in February 2011, when he was first licensed. He qualified for multiengine aircraft two months later.

The Seneca was manufactured in 1978 and was most recently certified as airworthy in August 2011.

michellecarlisle
January 15, 2013 7:06 p.m.

I say this as a pilot and with all due respect to Greg, who I did not know but there is a necessary conversation to have regarding this accident. I suspect he was not instrument rated from the limited info from news reports. i am afraid he got in over his head as there is an instrument approach into Manteo but it does not involve buzzing the island first. Pilots can gain crucial knowledge from the mistakes of others. NTSB will make its report many months from now but the lessons learned will be lossed on many unfortunately by that time.

talkaboutit
January 15, 2013 4:08 p.m.

I wonder what happened to him and the failed ethanol plant, the bankruptcy and 80 million dollars lost. Must have come out ok to own his own plane. Sad ending.

pinball wizard
January 15, 2013 3:23 p.m.

This act was exactly what I would have expected Greg to do. He always thought of others before himself. It's sad to see such a great man die so young....but he has beat the rest of us to heaven. Praying for his family.

jtwhitfield81
January 15, 2013 12:37 p.m.