The Cessna 340A is a fixed-wing twin-engine aircraft. The plane that crashed Friday, December 23, 2006, is registered to Ray B. Armistead of New Bern, N.C., according to the Federal Aviation Administration. A Web site for the medical practice Carolina Orthopedic Associates identifies Armistead as an orthopedic surgeon. He and his wife Patty have two daughters.

The Coast Guard said it expected to find one man and three women from the plane. Petty Officer Bobby Nash said the FAA last had contact with the Cessna when it was about a mile west of Charleston Executive Airport. The FAA contacted the Coast Guard after the plane disappeared.

On Firday evening Divers from Charleston County Rescue Squad and Sheriff's Office located the aircraft just off Dill Bluff Plantation on James Island in approximately 25 to 30 feet of water.   One victum was recovered by the recon divers.  Due to visibility divers were only able to locate two other victims inside the aircraft.  Recovery operations were halted at about 9:00 due to weather, visability and darkness. 

The following morning divers and marine teams deployed to finish the recovery of Dr. Armistead and his family. Divers were working with a very tight window of oppertunity to brief divers on the morning dive plan, ready and deploy assests and equipment to the dive site,  begin dive operations including placing recover bags, attaching recovery lines and raising the aircraft before the tide turned.  Divers from Charleston County Rescue Squad, City of Charleston Police Department and Sheriff's Office, under the direction of the Sheriff's Office Dive Team Leader used two 2000 Lb recovery lift bags to raise the aircraft.  Before the plane was brought to the surface divers attached a cable from the crane on the Rescue Squads "Heavy Rescue 8" to the plane.  Once on the surface the plane was pulled to the bank of the Stono river. 

Divers are credited with a safe and functional dive through training and planning together on a regular basis.  The dive team members reported no diver related injuries in dealing with this tragic mission.

Agencies aiding the recovery included Charleston County Sheriff's Office, Charleston County Emergnecy Medical Service, Charleston County Rescue Squad, the Coroner's Office, Charleston County Emergency Preparedness Division, Charleston County Safety Office, Charleston Police Department,  James Island PSD Fire Department, Coastal Crisis Chaplains, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, American Red Cross, National Transportation Safety Board and the U.S. Coast Guard.

Aircraft crash into the Stono River leads to two day recovery effort and leaves four dead.

Using two one ton lift bags, the aircraft is brought to the surface by Sheriffs Ofice, Charleston Police and Rescue Squad Divers.

Rescue Boat 24 supports dive operations

After relocation Rescue 8, its 8 ton crane is used to bring the now floating aircraft closer to shore before the tide turns and begins to go out

With divers clear of the aircraft Rescue 8 pulls the plane onto shore.

Once on shore the aircraft is secured in place and absorbent boom is put in place by Moran Environmental Recovery and the Rescue Squad.