NTSB: Pilot error likely caused Greenwood crash

July 22, 2005

By VIC MacDONALD
Index-Journal regional editor

An airplane crash in Greenwood in 2004 that killed four men from Georgia likely was caused by an engine stall resulting from pilot error, an investigation found.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined that the pilot, Troy Sufferling, of Kennesaw, Ga., failed to maintain the small plane’s airspeed as it climbed from a runway April 19, 2004, at the Greenwood County Airport. The plane stalled and then crashed into trees, the investigation report said.
“A factor was the inadequate preflight planning/preparation when he failed to lower the wing flaps,” the report said.
The plane crashed in the Wellington Green subdivision — north of the City of Greenwood — less than 100 feet from three homes on Chatham Court and close to the 17th hole at Parkland Golf Club.
“It sounded like 10 transformers had blown,” a subdivision resident said at the time.
Emergency responders, neighborhood residents trying to get home and onlookers combined with normal traffic to snarl S.C. 254. Law enforcement blocked the Wellington Green entrance for a while.
The crash happened within a mile of Greenwood High School while students were still attending class.
Investigation reports said a witness saw the plane leave the runway without an engine run-up.
Another witness reported that the plane stayed about 10-15 feet above the ground as it neared the end of the runway.
“The witness reported that as the airplane approached the end of the runway, the airplane pitched up at a steep angle to an altitude of about 300-400 feet,” the report said. “The airplane then slowed and appeared to experience a stall, rotating about 175 degrees on its vertical axis to the left.”
After that rotation, the plane’s nose pitched up slightly, then it experienced a “near vertical dive to the left.”
“The airplane disappeared from view behind a tree line, and two consecutive loud bangs were heard, followed by a fireball and black smoke,” the reports said.
The four men killed were in Greenwood in connection with the construction of a Piggly Wiggly grocery store on S.C. 72. The plane was registered to Attic Aircraft Leasing in Marietta, Ga., the NTSB said at the time of the crash.
The Federal Aviation Administration and the NTSB, an independent federal agency charged with investigating every civil aviation accident in the United States, investigated the crash.

Fujifilm’s Harry Watanabe garners
high praise at retirement event

July 22, 2005

By MEGAN VARNER
Index-Journal senior staff writer

Humble, friendly, intelligent, fun loving, community-minded, delightful and a great guy.
These were just a few of the words friends and associates used to describe Harry Watanabe, senior adviser to the president of Fuji Photo Film Inc., of Greenwood.
Dozens of community and business leaders gathered Thursday at Greenwood Country Club for a special reception honoring Watanabe’s retirement from the company after more than 14 years at the Greenwood location and more than 40 years with Fuji.
“Harry has been a tremendous supporter of the Greenwood community and, under his leadership, Fuji has given so much back to the community,” said Len Bornemann, executive director of the Greenwood Area Chamber of Commerce. “He has done an outstanding job of bringing Fuji to world-class status in Greenwood.”
Watanabe came to Fujifilm-South Carolina in 1991 and served as president of the Greenwood location from 1996-2004.
During his 14 years there, the company grew to a 500-plus-acre site, making it the largest Fujifilm distribution center in the world, with more than 1,500 associates.
“We experienced explosive growth during his time of leadership, and he was able to manage that growth for us to minimize the growing pains that any company would feel,” said Lisa Emily, with Fuji’s corporate communications. “It has really been an honor to work with him.”
S.C. Sen. John Drummond, D-Ninety Six, said he has known Watanabe since the day Watanabe and his wife, Masako, arrived in Greenwood.
“He made himself a part of this community the first week,” Drummond said. “I’ve never seen a big corporation man just get totally involved with the local community like Harry has.”
Watanabe, who will be living in Greenville, said he is looking forward to spending time with his family, including his grandchildren, but said he will miss his Fuji associates and the Greenwood community.
“I’ll have to adjust,” he said. “During my 14 years with Fuji in Greenwood, it has really become a second home for me.”

Some information for this article was obtained from a Fujifilm-South Carolina press release.

Turner qualifies for U.S. Amateur

July 22, 2005

By MICHAEL STONE
Index-Journal sports editor

DURHAM, N.C. — Greenwood’s Emmett Turner is no longer a bridesmaid.
After three years of being an alternate for the U.S. Amateur Championship, Turner advanced to the 2005 tournament by finishing second at Thursday’s sectional qualifier at the Old Chatham Golf Course in Durham.
Turner finished the 36-hole qualifier with a 10-under-par 134, shooting a 65 Wednesday and following that with a 69 Thursday.
The top five finishers earned berths in the U.S. Amateur, which is Aug. 22-28 at the Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pa.
Turner finished one stroke behind Seung-Su Han, with Drew Younts third at 138.
“I felt good and played good,” Turner said of the two-day qualifier. “There were 140 guys playing for five spots, so after three years of being an alternate, it’s nice to finally qualify for one.”
Wednesday’s opening round was one of Turner’s best. The Greenwood High School graduate made all 10 greens in regulation and finished with seven birdies and no bogeys.
Turner’s mother, Emie, who followed her son on the course both days, said it was the, “prettiest round I’ve ever seen him play.”
“I’m so excited for Emmett finally making the U.S. Amateur because he’s worked so hard,” Emie Turner said.
Emmett Turner followed Wednesday’s round with five more birdies and two bogeys Thursday to lock up a spot in the U.S. Amateur.
At the U.S. Amateur, players will have 36 holes of stroke play, with the top 64 advancing to match play to determine the top amateur player in the nation.
Turner, who has played in stroke- and match-play events in college at Augusta State University, said he’s looking forward to the challenge of doing both in the same tournament.
“I kind of like both formats,” Turner said.
Turner said he was unfamiliar with the Merion’s East and West courses, but will get in a few practice rounds before the tournament starts to get an idea of how to conquer the par-70 courses.
Turner helped Augusta State place 10th in this year’s NCAA Division I Championship, was named to the Academic All-District III team and was a finalist for the 2005 Byron Nelson Award.
In other events this summer, Turner tied for 12th at the Monroe Invitational Championship in Pittsford, N.Y., was 17th at the Dogwood Invitational in Atlanta and tied for 46th at the Northeast Amateur Invitational in Rumford, R.I.
The U.S. Amateur Championship helped launch pro superstar Tiger Woods into the international spotlight. Woods, who has won 10 major pro championships, captured the U.S. Amateur an unprecedented three straight times, winning the 1994-96 titles.

Opinion

‘Our’ Genetic Center has impact beyond Greenwood

July 22, 2005

Most of us get so used to things that are always around us that it’s easy to start to take them for granted. That could have been said about the robust textile industry that had a huge impact on this community.
Sometimes, though, the influence of those involved continues to reap rewards for others. That can be said about the late Jim Self in so many ways it would be difficult to track them all.
Jim Self, his father before him, and Greenwood Mills made life so much better for more of us than even we sometimes realize. Self Memorial Hospital – now Self Regional Healthcare – is the perfect example. People in this entire area of the state benefit from the hospital and all of the medical expertise it has attracted in and around it.

THE GREENWOOD GENETIC Center is another star in Greenwood’s crown, thanks to the visionary Dr. Roger Stevenson, who made a dream come true. Without Jim Self, though, that dream might have taken longer to become reality. Stevenson had the dream, Self helped him realize it.
In the process, Greenwood and South Carolina got a world renowned facility that will make other dreams come true as research and years go by.
The new initiative between the Genetic Center and Clemson University will increase research and doctoral education in human genetics. The work will concentrate on finding causes and cures for birth disorders and susceptibility to premature birth, hypertension, obesity and diabetes.

CONSIDER THE PROSPECTS for success this new initiative will add to the accomplishments already achieved by the Genetics Center, and the possibilities are beyond the imagination of most of us.
Yes, indeed. Greenwood is fortunate. Sometimes, though, it’s not too hard to see that we do take what we have for granted. However, thanks to dedicated people like Jim Self and his family, Dr. Stevenson and his associates, and many others, it’s worth getting a reminder once in a while.
The new association between the Greenwood Genetic Center and Clemson University is as good as reminders get. The dividends could be life-changing for people all over the world ….. all for the better. Faith and hard work pay off in a lot of ways. This is one of them.

Editorial expression in this feature represents our own views.
Opinions are limited to this page.

Obituaries

Mozella Brunson

Mozella Brunson, of 211 Watson St., died Sunday, July 17, 2005 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Plum Branch, she was a daughter of the late James and Annie Mae Wiggleton Brunson. She attended White Hall Elementary School. She was a member of Morris Chapel Baptist Church and later joined Pine Grove A.M.E. Church and the Gospel Choir of the church.
Survivors include two sisters, Edith Jackson and Sarah Mosley of Greenwood.
Services are 1 p.m. Saturday at Pine Grove A.M.E. Church, Plum Branch, conducted by the Rev. W.O. Vance. The body will be placed in the church at 12. Burial is in the church cemetery.
Pallbearers are nephews and friends of the family.
Flower bearers are nieces.
The family is at the home of a sister at 643 Giles St.
Parks Funeral Home is in charge.