(Blacksburg) May 24, 2006 - Lieutenant Governor Andre Bauer needs surgery to repair damage to his left foot sustained when the plane he was flying crashed in Cherokee County shortly after take-off Tuesday night.
Bauer's office released details Wednesday afternoon on the extent of his injuries.
He spent the night in the intensive care unit of Greenville Memorial Hospital for treatment of a shattered left heel, cuts to his head and face, cuts to his knee, and other cuts and abrasions. The 37-year-old lieutenant governor is listed in good condition.
Meanwhile, Bauer's passenger, 77-year-old John Leonhardt Senior, is listed in serious condition in the intensive care unit of Spartanburg Regional Hospital.
The plane Bauer was flying ran into power lines, crashed and burst into flames shortly after take-off in Cherokee County. Passenger John Leonhardt Senior was pulled from the wreckage by a passer-by shortly before it exploded.
According to Captain Black with the Cherokee County 911, the crash happened on White Farm Road, which is near Interstate 85, at 6:28pm.
Bauer and John Leonhardt Sr., 77, who was the passenger, were conscious after the crash and were taken via helicopter to separate hospitals.
A spokesman for Bauer's office, Dave Lucas, says the 37-year-old lieutenant governor suffered injuries to his arm and leg, including a broken left ankle. Bauer's chief of staff Mike Easterday says the lieutenant governor was alert and in good spirits.
Leonhardt was taken to Spartanburg Regional where he is listed in serious condition in the intensive care unit.
The
Federal Aviation Administration says the plane was a Mooney M-20-E fixed-wing single-engine aircraft registered to Bunk Aviation in Columbia. It was a four-seater plane.
Bauer bought the plane from Leonhardt three years ago. It had just had an annual check and a new engine installed.
Bauer's plane clipped trees after taking off from the dirt airstrip. Officials have not yet determined what caused the crash.
Jeremy Elliot lives near the airstrip. He says he saw Bauer on the ground crawling from the plane and helped pull Leonhardt from the wreckage about a minute before it exploded. Elliot says both men appeared to have cuts on their faces and broken bones.
Leonhardt's wife Azelea says once the men were away from the plane, it caught on fire.
Bill Dukes says Bauer has been a pilot for about a year and a half. Dukes says Bauer flies about eight hours a month, which he says is frequent. Sen. Knotts says Lt. Gov. Bauer is "very careful in the plane" when he flies.
Azalea Leonhardt says her husband is also a pilot and he has 40 year's experience.
Senator Harvey Peeler says Bauer flew to the area to visit a friend who had a death in the family. Azalea says the two men were on their way back home from the funeral.
The weather was sunny with light winds in the Upstate at the time of the crash.
Governor Mark Sanford has issued the following statement on news of the plane crash: "As we continue to gather additional information on Andre's condition, I'd ask every South Carolinian to join me, Jenny and the boys in saying a prayer for Andre and his family," Gov. Sanford said. "Andre and Mr. Leonhardt are obviously both fortunate that their injuries were not more serious, and as we learn further details about exactly what happened we'd pass along our best wishes for their recovery."
Mike Campbell, who is running against Bauer as candidate for Lieutenant Governor, also issued a statement on the crash: "Ruffin and I were deeply concerned to hear about the plane crash. Our thoughts and prayers are with Andre, John Leonhardt Sr., and their families. We wish them both a healthy and speedy recovery and ask the citizens of South Carolina to join us in our prayers."
During a Wednesday morning press conference, Bauer's chief of staff Mike Easterday said, "At this time, there is no indication of the cause of the accident. The accident is being investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board, which is standard procedure. President pro-tem senator Glenn McConnell is presiding over the senate today and tomorrow. The Lt. governors office and the office on aging are continuing as normal."
Lt. Gov. Bauer's campaign manager says it is too early to think about how the accident might affect Bauer's run for re-election.
The National Transportation Safety Board will be starting an investigation into the cause of the crash. It will be that organization that will have the final word on the cause. That will come after an extensive investigation that includes talking to witnesses, combing through the wreckage of the plane and interviewing Bauer and his passenger.
Updated 1:37pm by Chantelle Janelle with AP
