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GREENVILLE, N.C. (WITN) - The National Transportation Safety Board says spatial disorientation caused a plane crash last year that killed a Greenville dentist and his wife.

Dr. Mark Bowman and Robin Bowman died March 14, 2025, when their Beechcraft Bonanza crashed shortly after departing Pitt-Greenville Airport. The couple was enroute to the Dominican Republic to provide dental care to underserved communities.

The plane went down in the area of North Memorial Drive and Belvoir Road and was found at Consolidated Pipe on North Greene Street.

In a final report out this week, the NTSB says the airplane’s initial climb appeared normal through 400 feet, with it turning right and starting to descend. The plane then resumed its climb, and reached 1,050 feet before descending once again.

The NTSB says there were no radio transmission made from Bowman during the final portion of the flight.

A witness says he saw the plane come out of the clouds, complete a 360 degree roll to the right. When that roll was about half complete, the witness says the aircraft hit the ground.

FAA records show that Bowman was rated for instrument takeoffs. The NTSB says there was low ceiling that morning at PGV and that drizzle/mist was falling.

“The airplane’s erratic flight track on the accident flight, which included arrested climbs, descents, and low altitude turns that culminated in a tightening turn and high-speed descent was indicative of the known effects of spatial disorientation, specifically the somatogyral illusion (graveyard spiral),” the report said.

Spatial disorientation is when a person cannot correctly sense their body’s position, relative to the Earth and their surroundings.

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GREENVILLE, N.C. – With the heat index expected to be above 85 for East Carolina's home football game against App State at Bagwell Field inside Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium on Saturday, ECU has activated its heat management operating plan according to an announcement by ECU Executive Associate Athletics Director for Internal Operations JJ McLamb on Friday.
 
The plan calls for an increase in EMS equipment and personnel at the game, two cooling fans available in the upper concourse of the stadium, increased amounts of bottled water for service groups working at the game and an increase in the cold bottled drink inventory (including water) at concession stands. Patrons will be allowed to bring one 20-ounce unopened bottle of water into the stadium. Two air-conditioned cooling stations will be located on the lower concourse while additional water and soda kiosks will be available around the stadium. Two additional two-person EMS teams will staff the cooling stations.
 
"We want our fans to be aware of the additional services at Saturday's game to assist them in dealing with the heat," McLamb said. "We appreciate their support of the East Carolina University football team, but we want them to take the necessary precautions regarding the heat temperatures."
 
Individuals attending the game are encouraged to be mindful of the heat and take precautions like staying properly hydrated by drinking plenty of water, finding shade if necessary and utilizing the services and medical facilities provided at the stadium to deal with the heat.

The City of Greenville is asking for the community’s opinion through a quick survey.

Greenville is working on a comprehensive Pedestrian Plan. The city wants to know about the pedestrian experience. The survey includes questions about the best places to walk in Greenville, where safety improvements are needed and which pedestrian projects should be prioritized.

https://engagekh.mysocialpinpoint.com/GreenvillePedPlan

I mean logically this should be the best attended game of the year. It’s an in-state opponent with a passionate fan base like ours.

They’ve beat us the last 3 times recently in 2021, 2023, and 2024. We’re looking for our first win against them since 2012.

I mean I guess it’s not like when NC State came to town in 2022 and we set our attendance record, but we should at least sell out right?