The man at the controls was Greg Carlisle. He was the well-known owner of a Raleigh construction company.
Now, Carlisle's family is talking about their loss of a loving husband, father, brother and son. The said family was very important to Carlisle, but the son of a pilot also loved his airplane.
"He was a loving, wonderful husband" said Greg's wife, Mary Stewart Carlisle. "The best father any child could ever want, the best brother, best son-in-law."
However, Greg's wife did not share his love of flying. It scares her. However, she wanted him to do what he loved which is why she encouraged him to always take someone else along.
On Sunday, he had a family friend on board. She told Greg's wife and sister that before hitting the water he banked the plane at the last minute to take the impact on his side, which allowed her to escape and survive.
"It's a miracle and a blessing also that she wasn't killed," said Mary.
Mary said the woman on board told them that when they came out of the fog on approach to the Dare County Airport, Greg realized they were too low and would hit the water. Greg died, possibly on impact.
His family takes comfort in his love of flying.
"I want him back here," said Greg's sister, Lisa Beaman, "but, if it was his time, he did love to fly."
"He always said, 'Look, if I die in a plane crash, I've died doing what I wanted to do.'"
Greg Carlisle leaves behind a host of family that includes his wife, a grown son, his parents and sisters along with many friends.
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