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Lighting Store Showroom Near Charleston, SC

The importance of great lighting in a home cannot be understated. It can brighten up a room and make it feel more open, while bad lighting can make a space feel dark and unwelcoming. It can make a room feel more inviting and more useful, melding aesthetics with function to create a welcoming and comforting glow. It helps you see what you're doing around the house, from cooking dinner to playing with your children. With the right application, lighting can help reduce eye strain and fatigue. Great lighting designs can even increase the value of your home, transforming it into an alluring oasis that is just right for the South Carolina market.

Simply put, lighting makes your life and your home better, whether you're a first-time homebuyer, an interior designer, or a home builder. But finding a reliable lighting store in Charleston, SC, where you can purchase lighting fixtures and receive expert lighting advice? That can be complicated. Fortunately, Lowcountry Lighting Studio makes it easy to find great lighting locally.

From chandeliers and scones to ceiling fans and gas lanterns, we keep the most popular designs in stock for both indoor and outdoor purposes. The best part? You can see and touch all that we have to offer right from our expansive showroom in Charleston, making you a truly enlightened consumer.

Service Areas

We Take Pride in Lighting the Lowcountry

At Lowcountry Lighting Studio, we believe that lighting is about more than fancy fixtures. It's what brings your personal treasures to life, brightens your daily tasks, and creates a warm and inviting environment to live, work, and play. With years of experience providing dependable lighting services to South Carolina, we are proud to be the ultimate resource for lighting value, design, and selection in the Lowcountry.

Lighting Store Charleston, SC

We've built our reputation on stellar customer service and take pride in offering exceptional design services provided by a team of experts who are dedicated to bringing your vision to life. If you're in search of expert product specialists, an onsite showroom, and a huge selection of today's most popular lighting choices, look no further than Lowcountry Lighting Studio.

Customers keep coming back to our lighting showroom because we are dedicated to providing high-quality services, such as:

  • Indoor Lighting
  • Outdoor Lighting
  • Lighting Design
  • Lighting Product Sales
  • In-Home Consultations with a Lighting Specialist
  • Complimentary Local Delivery
  • Charleston's Top Choice for Lighting Quality, Knowledge, and Customer Service
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Who We Serve

Lowcountry Lighting Studio is proud to serve clients from all walks of life who need quality lighting fixtures. Whether you're renovating your space or you're a home builder looking for a trusted partner, you'll find lots to love at our lighting store in Charleston, SC.

Homeowners

Need to upgrade a single room in your home? Looking for a comprehensive home electrical plan? Don't know where to start on your interior or exterior lighting journey? Our team of experts is here for you. To help us provide you with the best service possible, bring the following info along when you visit our showroom in Charleston:

  • Room Dimensions
  • Furniture Dimensions
  • House Plans (If Available)
  • Current or Desired Paint Colors
  • Current or Desired Countertop and Island Colors and Materials
  • Height of Ceilings
  • Kitchen and Cabinet Hardware and Finishes
  • An Idea of Your Desired Lighting Fixtures
 Lighting Showroom Charleston, SC

Realtors

When purchasing a new home, it's common for buyers to make aesthetic and practical changes inside and out. That's where Lowcountry Lighting Studio comes into play as a trusted lighting showroom for both you and your clients. We understand that builders, designers, and realtors all share the same goal of making their clients' houses feel like home. That's why we offer a realtor program tailored exclusively to registered agents.

With a $250 client reservation fee, you can book appointments at our studio to meet with our lighting specialists and designers. This fee will also be applied to any purchases made by your client. On top of that, you'll receive lighting books to showcase new options, special discounts to pass along to your clients, and much more. If you and your client are looking for reliable guidance for home lighting design, you're in the right place.

 Kitchen Light Fixtures Charleston, SC

Designers

At Lowcountry Lighting Studio, we value our relationship with designers. We understand the importance of their client's projects and the trust they place in designers to bring their vision to life. Lighting plays a significant role in any design project, yet retailers do not always appreciate designers. To address this common issue, LLS has created a designer program that not only simplifies the selection process but also offers an enjoyable experience for clients.

As a registered member of our "Lowcountry Lighting Studio Designer Program," you'll enjoy several perks, including designer pricing, exclusive updates on new products and upcoming events, a waived $250 reservation fee with one of our lighting specialists, and much more. Our "Lighting Loft" is one of our favorite features, which you can reserve as a registered designer. This space elevates the selection process for you and your clients, making it both easy and fun to find modern, desirable lighting fixtures in Charleston, SC.

 Bathroom Light Fixtures Charleston, SC

Builders, Contractors, & Architects

At Lowcountry Lighting Studio, we bring together our extensive expertise in construction and lighting to help you navigate the complex process of completing your projects. Our aim is to facilitate seamless communication between you and your clients, supporting you every step of the way from initial concept to final completion.

To achieve this, we offer a range of trustworthy lighting services for builders, contractors, and architects, including:

  • Electrical Design and Layout
  • Rough-In
  • Decorative Selection of Lighting
  • Decorative Selection of Mirrors
  • Landscape
  • LED Lighting for Specialty Needs
  • Discounted Builder Pricing
  • Local Deliveries
  • Lighting Packets for Clients
  • Detailed and Ongoing Communication
 Dining Room Light Fixtures Charleston, SC

Need to upgrade a single room in your home? Looking for a comprehensive home electrical plan? Don't know where to start on your interior or exterior lighting journey? Our team of experts is here for you. To help us provide you with the best service possible, bring the following info along when you visit our showroom in Charleston:

  • Room Dimensions
  • Furniture Dimensions
  • House Plans (If Available)
  • Current or Desired Paint Colors
  • Current or Desired Countertop and Island Colors and Materials
  • Height of Ceilings
  • Kitchen and Cabinet Hardware and Finishes
  • An Idea of Your Desired Lighting Fixtures
 Living Room Light Fixtures Charleston, SC

When purchasing a new home, it's common for buyers to make aesthetic and practical changes inside and out. That's where Lowcountry Lighting Studio comes into play as a trusted lighting showroom for both you and your clients. We understand that builders, designers, and realtors all share the same goal of making their clients' houses feel like home. That's why we offer a realtor program tailored exclusively to registered agents.

With a $250 client reservation fee, you can book appointments at our studio to meet with our lighting specialists and designers. This fee will also be applied to any purchases made by your client. On top of that, you'll receive lighting books to showcase new options, special discounts to pass along to your clients, and much more. If you and your client are looking for reliable guidance for home lighting design, you're in the right place.

 Chandeliers Charleston, SC

At Lowcountry Lighting Studio, we value our relationship with designers. We understand the importance of their client's projects and the trust they place in designers to bring their vision to life. Lighting plays a significant role in any design project, yet retailers do not always appreciate designers. To address this common issue, LLS has created a designer program that not only simplifies the selection process but also offers an enjoyable experience for clients.

As a registered member of our "Lowcountry Lighting Studio Designer Program," you'll enjoy several perks, including designer pricing, exclusive updates on new products and upcoming events, a waived $250 reservation fee with one of our lighting specialists, and much more. Our "Lighting Loft" is one of our favorite features, which you can reserve as a registered designer. This space elevates the selection process for you and your clients, making it both easy and fun to find modern, desirable lighting fixtures in Charleston, SC.

 Gas Lanterns Charleston, SC

At Lowcountry Lighting Studio, we bring together our extensive expertise in construction and lighting to help you navigate the complex process of completing your projects. Our aim is to facilitate seamless communication between you and your clients, supporting you every step of the way from initial concept to final completion.

To achieve this, we offer a range of trustworthy lighting services for builders, contractors, and architects, including:

  • Electrical Design and Layout
  • Rough-In
  • Decorative Selection of Lighting
  • Decorative Selection of Mirrors
  • Landscape
  • LED Lighting for Specialty Needs
  • Discounted Builder Pricing
  • Local Deliveries
  • Lighting Packets for Clients
  • Detailed and Ongoing Communication
Lighting Store Charleston, SC

Popular Lighting Fixtures from Our Lighting Store in Charleston, SC

As one of South Carolina's premier lighting showrooms, LLS keeps a keen eye on the types of lighting fixtures and design choices that customers love - both locally and across the country. Here are just a few of the most popular types of lighting fixtures you can find at our lighting showroom.

Gas Lanterns Gas Lanterns

When designing or refreshing a modern structure, it's important to choose the appropriate outdoor lighting that complements the overall aesthetic. It's easy to overlook gas lanterns because they're often associated with traditional or old-world styles.

However, there are gas lantern designs that are perfect for modern or transitional style homes, such as Coppersmith +, Primo +, and Legendary Lighting models. These lanterns have sleek and geometric designs ideal for contemporary gas lighting. In addition, you'll find a variety of finishes to enhance your selection further. For a more modern look, a powder-coated black finish is recommended, while copper and patina finishes work best for transitional gas lighting.

 Lighting Showroom Charleston, SC
 Kitchen Light Fixtures Charleston, SC

Chandeliers Chandeliers

Chandeliers often possess intricate designs that exude beauty and allure, even in the absence of light. Conversely, lamps can appear dull and uninspiring when turned off, only serving to add vibrancy and warmth when they are illuminated. Introducing a striking and unique chandelier into a large and spacious room can bring life and character to the space.

These exquisite pieces of art can act as the focal point of the room, keeping the area from appearing lifeless and uninteresting. With a simple chandelier, your home can be transformed into an unforgettable space, exuding an air of elegance that your neighbors will be jealous of. Of course, mid-size and mini chandeliers are fantastic, too, and work very well for adding a special touch to a relatively small space, like a dining room or breakfast cove.

Whether you're looking for a grand, traditional chandelier from Uttermost or a trendy, modern piece from George Kovacs, we've got the styles and finishes you're craving at our lighting showroom in Charleston, SC.

Ceiling Fans Ceiling Fans

Ceiling fans are making a major comeback in many South Carolina homes. Unlike the bland, monotone fans found in your college dorm room, today's ceiling fans are attractive and stylish. At Lowcountry Lighting Studio, you'll find a wide selection of stylish ceiling fans made with on-trend materials such as polished nickel and exotic wood.

These high-quality fans typically offer various finish and light kit options, as well as remote controls. Some models even feature carved ceiling medallions that add texture and intrigue. You can choose from a range of sizes and styles to match your unique interior design, including traditional models with wood or bronze finishes, modern units in brushed metal, or tropical fans with blades resembling banana leaves.

From Fanimation to Hinkley and just about every brand in between, there's a ceiling fan for every taste at LLS.

 Bathroom Light Fixtures Charleston, SC
 Dining Room Light Fixtures Charleston, SC

Scones Scones

Wall sconces are a popular addition to any room, regardless of interior design style. They are discreet and versatile, making them a perfect fit for any space in your home. If you're looking to create a soft and welcoming atmosphere in your entryway or a warm and cozy ambiance in your bedroom, wall sconces are the perfect solution.

At Lowcountry Lighting Studio, we offer a wide variety of wall scone options, from products with brass and antique finishes to scones with Mid-Century Modern flair.

Timeless Tips for Beautiful Interior Lighting

It might sound cliche, but having a great interior lighting design for your home is everything. When you get it right, you can significantly enhance the overall look and feel of your home. But when styles and design elements clash with one another or lack true functionality, it can have a negative effect.

Keep these tips in mind to maximize the ambiance and mood of your home.

To ensure that every room in your home is well-lit and functional, having a mixture of lighting at different levels is important. For instance, in your kitchen, you can have lighting units above your island and task lighting underneath your cabinetry. Similarly, in your living room, you can have ceiling units with table lamps placed around the perimeter of the room. By combining lighting in this way, you can create a more functional and comfortable living space.

It's essential to know your ceiling height before selecting hanging light fixtures. Some light fixtures come with adjustable cables or rods, while others do not. You don't want to find yourself with a light that hangs either too low or too high. As a general rule, a light should hang about 12 to 20 inches below a standard 8-foot ceiling. For every additional foot of ceiling height, add 3 inches to the hanging length of the light. Knowing these measurements will help you get the perfect hanging light fixtures for your home.

When you visit our showroom to view lighting fixtures in Charleston, SC, keep in mind that different rooms have different functions and focal points. Generally speaking, your lighting design should reflect the purpose of the room.

For instance, in your living room, consider installing indirect lighting to create a more relaxed atmosphere. You may also want to add tabletop lamps next to a sofa or armchair to further enhance the ambiance. If the room has high ceilings, it would be helpful to combine lighting on the ceiling and walls, which will help to give the room a more calming feel. This will also prevent visitors from feeling lost in a large open space.

For entryways into your home, try having lights installed along the walls to make coming and going safe day and night. For a unique effect, combine architectural lighting with recessed lighting or even a trendy ceiling light, depending on the shape, size, and design of your entryway.

Adding new pendant lighting to your home can be an expensive and inconvenient process, especially if you don't want to change your electrical setup. However, you can consider using cord swags as a stylish solution. You can loosely swag them over a bar or a hook, or you can securely attach the cord tight to the ceiling for an industrial look. This is a great way to add a touch of style and ambiance to your home without breaking the bank.

One of the most common questions we're asked at Lowcountry Light Studio is how to begin designing or renovating a home's lighting. While every approach will be different depending on your home, budget, and time, one of the best ways to start is to think about recessed and exposed lighting.

Recessed lighting, as the name suggests, is a lighting unit that is designed to be hidden, so the light source is the only visible component. This is highly practical for modern, clean interiors where architectural details are unnecessary. Additionally, recessed lighting is ideal for homes with low ceilings, where hanging light fixtures may not be suitable.

Exposed lighting, by contrast, utilizes distinct lighting units with prominent architectural details. This type of lighting blends well with traditional and even rustic vibes. If you are planning to have recessed or exposed lighting installed in your home, it's a good idea to make this decision early on, as it can affect your builder or electrician's plans.

When choosing lighting for your space, be sure to consider the type of lightbulb you're using, not just the lighting fixture. There are different bulb options, such as halogen, compact fluorescent, and LED bulbs, which come in varying warm or cool hues. Deciding on your desired glow is ultimately going to be a personal choice, much like your home's wall color. But using bulbs that compliment your home's aesthetic and color scheme is never a bad idea.

As a general rule, if your walls have cool tones, using a warm lightbulb can help to create a more inviting atmosphere. Conversely, if you have a dark space, a cooler glow might be necessary to brighten it up.

 Living Room Light Fixtures Charleston, SC
 Chandeliers Charleston, SC

What Client Say About Us

Illuminating the Path to Impeccable Lighting in Your Home

Ready to transform your home's lighting from basic and bland to memorable and distinct? Trends will come and go, but expertise and experience are always in fashion. That's what you get with Lowcountry Lighting Studio - one of The Palmetto State's most reliable and innovative lighting showrooms. Whether you're a builder, architect, realtor, or homeowner, our team is ready to help you choose the lighting design of your dreams. Contact our lighting store in Charleston, SC, today to reserve an appointment in our showroom soon.

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 Gas Lanterns Charleston, SC

Latest News in Charleston, SC

2024 Election Guide: Half-penny sales tax ballot questions split Charleston voters

Two ballot questions up for vote in next week’s election have Charleston County residents split, with notable advocacy groups and community leaders loudly proclaiming their opposition.Charleston County is seeking to extend a half-penny sales tax previously passed in 2016 to generate $5.4 billion to pay for large-scale infrastructure projects — including the extension of Interstate 526 across Johns Island. Almost half of all funds raised through the half-cent tax (about $2.3 billion) would go toward the interstate project, ...

Two ballot questions up for vote in next week’s election have Charleston County residents split, with notable advocacy groups and community leaders loudly proclaiming their opposition.

Charleston County is seeking to extend a half-penny sales tax previously passed in 2016 to generate $5.4 billion to pay for large-scale infrastructure projects — including the extension of Interstate 526 across Johns Island. Almost half of all funds raised through the half-cent tax (about $2.3 billion) would go toward the interstate project, including more than $600 million to pay interest costs on a tax-backed loan worth $1.8 billion.

At an Oct. 15 Charleston County Council meeting, dozens of residents and local advocates spoke for roughly an hour during a special public comment period. Those who spoke against the sales tax pointed to its unclear language, the unfinished projects from the 2016 tax and grievances with the Mark Clark extension project as reasons to vote against the measure.“The county has already failed to pursue all but one of the projects from the previous sales tax,” one speaker said.

The new tax would also pay for millions of dollars of work that was supposed to be covered by the 2016 referendum. About 5% of the new tax’s revenue, or $282,223,000, would go toward “carryover projects” from the 2016 sales tax.

“Once more, we’re back where we started again,” another said. “It’s time to start from scratch.”Meanwhile, groups like Citizens for Safe Roads, a grassroots movement, support the referendum.

In its “Vote Yes” campaign, the group said: “The transportation sales tax potential distributions include billions for road improvements across Charleston County necessary to improve the safety of dangerous intersections; reduce response times for EMS, fire, police; improve hurricane evacuation routes; and reduce traffic injuries and fatalities.”

Altogether, the funds raised by the sales tax would be allocated to:

Opponents say lumping the massive Mark Clark extension project with other, crucial improvements is unfair to voters.

“Charleston County voters deserve to make informed choices when they head to the polls. They should not be forced into an all-or-nothing decision,” Coastal Conservation League Executive Director Faith Rivers James said in a statement. “Voters deserve the right to vote for preferred needed improvements — like Greenbelt and CARTA funds — without being forced to support the destructive and unnecessary Mark Clark extension as the priority project.”

Republican County Council member Larry Kobrovsky of Sullivan’s Island added that there’s no guarantee all of the projects funded by the new sales tax would be built, either, adding to the uncertainty of the measure.

“My fear is that we will jeopardize ongoing projects from the [2016] sales tax,” he told the Charleston City Paper in a previous report. “By lumping it all, we’re holding hostage all these other projects to 526.

“When people vote on this, they think the projects will be built,” he said. “This is just a fantasy. … There’s no guarantee we will have the money to finish these projects. How can we in good faith put out something that we don’t have the money for? To me, that wouldn’t be ethical or fair.”

A second question on the ballot would approve the issuance of up to $1 billion in bonds to the county payable from the new sales tax. If passed, the new sales tax would be active starting in 2027 and remain in place for no more than 25 years, or until a matching total of $5.4 billion in returning revenue has been collected.

Know your candidates before you head to the polls

Election Day may look a little different this year. Up to 140,000 Charleston County voters are expected to have voted before Nov. 5, according to county election officials, which will make it much smoother at the polls for same-day voters, projected to be about 80,000 people.Here is a list of all candidates in contested races who will be on Charleston Countyballots to help readers prepare to check the box when they arrive at their polling locations.

District 1 — Nancy Mace (Republican, incumbent); Michael B. Moore (Democrat)

District 6 — Duke Buckner (Republican); James Clyburn (Democrat, incumbent); Gregg Marcel Dixon (United Citizens); Joseph Oddo (Alliance); Michael Simpson (Libertarian)

District 20 — Kendal Ludden (Libertarian); Ed Sutton (Democrat, incumbent)

District 41 — Rita Adkins (Democrat); Matt Leber (Republican)

District 43 — Chip Campsen (Republican); Julie Cofer Hussey (Democrat)

District 44 — Brian Adams (Republican, incumbent); Vicky Wynn (Democrat)

District 15 — J.A. Moore (Democrat, incumbent); Carlton Walker (Republican)

District 80 — Kathy Landing (Republican, incumbent); Donna Brown Newton (Democrat)

District 110 — Tom Hartnett (Republican, incumbent); John Moffett (Democrat)

District 111 — Wendell G. Gilliard (Democrat, incumbent); Joe Jernigan (Libertarian)

District 112 — Peter Brennan (Democrat); Joe Bustos (Republican, incumbent)

District 114 — Gary Brewer (Republican, incumbent); Adrienne Lett (Democrat)

District 115 — J. Warren Sloane (Republican); Spencer Wetmore (Democrat, incumbent)

District 116 — Charlie Murray (Democrat); James Teeple (Republican)

District 119 — Brendan R. Magee (Republican); Leon Stavrinakis (Democrat, incumbent)

District 3 — Hayden W. Seignious (Republican); Rob Wehrman (Democrat, incumbent)

District 7 — Brantley Moody (Republican, incumbent); Sydney Van Bulck (Democrat)

9th Circuit Solicitor — David Osborne (Democrat); Scarlett A. Wilson (Republican, incumbent)

Sheriff — Kristin R. Graziano (Democrat, incumbent); Carl Ritchie (Republican)

Coroner — Frank Broccolo (Democrat); Bobbi Jo O’Neal (Republican, incumbent)

Treasurer — Mary Tinkler (Democrat, incumbent); Mike Van Horn Sr. (Republican)

District 2 — Carolina D. Jewett; Ed Kelley (incumbent)

District 4 — Kevin D. Hollinshead; Craig Logan

District 6 — Daron Lee Calhoun II (incumbent); Michele Leber; Samuel Whatley II

District 8 — Darlene Dunmeyer-Roberson (incumbent); Michelle Faust; Charles Glover Sr.

District 1, St. James Santee — Thomas Legrant Colleton Jr.; Chayann Lashay Simpson; Marie Snyder-Facine

District 3, James Island — Sue McManus; George Tempel

District 4, Cooper River Area 3 — Lala B. Fyall; Jametta L. King

District 4, Cooper River at Large — Michael Garnett; Jametta L. King

District 9, St. Johns — Bill Antonucci; Pat Cline; Gertie S. Ford; Cedric I. Solomon

District 10, St. Andrews — Francis Marion Beylotte III; Joy Brown; Piare A. Powell

District 20, Peninsula — Downing Child; F.X. Clasby

District 23, St. Pauls — Blanche Bowens; Marvin Lamar Bowens; Tiffany Deas-Smalls; Elijah Hammer Dent; Damian M. Jones; Richmond Truesdale

The Charleston County Board of Voter Registration and Elections is reminding voters to double-check their polling locations ahead of the 2024 general election next week,as some locations in the county have moved.

Of the locations that have moved, one is in McClellanville, six are in Mount Pleasant, three are in North Charleston, one is in West Ashley and one is in Hollywood.

Charleston County residents can check their polling location and make sure their voter registration is up to date online at chsvotes.gov.

Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Nov. 5.

It’s not too late to vote early, but time is running out.

Voters can cast an early ballot at seven locations through Saturday. Early voting is open from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Polling locations:

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Marines blame pilot error in 2023 crash of F-35 jet that went missing more than a day in South Carolina

Marine Corps investigators blamed the pilot for the high-profile crash of a F-35B stealth fighter jet last year near Charleston, S.C., in which the plane continued to fly more than 60 miles after the pilot ejected.The pilot should have remained in the plane after experiencing electrical malfunctions while nearing his landing location at Joint Base Charleston on Sept. 17, 2023, according to an investigation dated Jan. 18, 2024, but made public by the Marine Corps on Thursday. The F-35’s “advanced automatic flight-control sy...

Marine Corps investigators blamed the pilot for the high-profile crash of a F-35B stealth fighter jet last year near Charleston, S.C., in which the plane continued to fly more than 60 miles after the pilot ejected.

The pilot should have remained in the plane after experiencing electrical malfunctions while nearing his landing location at Joint Base Charleston on Sept. 17, 2023, according to an investigation dated Jan. 18, 2024, but made public by the Marine Corps on Thursday. The F-35’s “advanced automatic flight-control systems” allowed the plane to continue flying itself about 64 miles northeast onto private property near Hemmingway, S.C., where it went unfound for more than a day after it crashed, the investigation concluded.

“The pilot incorrectly diagnosed an out-of-controlled flight emergency and ejected from a flyable aircraft, albeit during a heavy rainstorm compounded with aircraft electrical and display malfunctions,” investigators wrote in the 111-page report.

Despite finding the pilot was wrong to eject, investigators recommended no punishment for the Marine in the case. The pilot’s commanding officer agreed, according to service documents.

The pilot’s name and rank were redacted in the investigation report. Investigators found the pilot was “qualified and current” to fly the advanced aircraft and he was of “sound mind and body” before the crash. The investigation described the pilot as a “highly experienced” aviator with more than 2,800 flight hours in the Marines, primarily on the AV-8B Harrier jet. But the pilot had limited experience on the F-35B, with about 32 hours flying time on that jet before the crash. The pilot was assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 501 of the 2nd Marine Air Wing.

The incident occurred at about 1:30 p.m. local time at Joint Base Charleston shortly after the pilot began procedures to conduct a vertical landing — a feature that allows the Marines’ version of the F-35B to land in a similar fashion to a helicopter. After putting his landing gear down and transitioning into vertical landing mode, the pilot reported his helmet mounted display, which provides flight information and date directly on a F-35 pilot’s helmet visor, flicked on and off at least two times.

The helmet display showed “multiple cautions and warnings” ahead of the landing attempt, the pilot reported. After the second time the instruments cut out, the pilot “determined that a runway landing was not feasible” and reverted the F-35 into its regular flight mode, he told investigators. The display flicked off again, prompting the pilot to believe the aircraft was uncontrollable and that ejection was necessary.

After the pilot ejected from the aircraft — eventually landing without major injury in a backyard in a residential neighborhood about one mile from the base — the F-35 continued to fly for 11 minutes and 21 seconds before crashing into dense forest about 64 nautical miles from where the pilot ejected. The Joint Base Charleston tower was able initially to track the jet, but lost radar contact with it after it flew about 23 nautical miles, the investigation found.

With the plane missing, Marine officials launched a massive hunt for the jet, which included military assets and civilian law enforcement. The jet would not be found until about 27 hours after the pilot ejected.

Investigators found the low flight path and the F-35s stealth features likely contributed to Joint Base Charleston’s tower losing contact with the jet. They found numerous factors including the loss of radar contact, “little to no fire” created in the crash, and the crash site’s location deep in dense forest contributed to the difficulties finding the aircraft.

Even from the sky, “the crash site was hardly noticeable,” the investigators wrote.

“The only visible aircraft part from the air was a large chunk of the engine,” the report reads.

Investigators credited the search teams with finding the F-35 and cleaning up the debris in an environmentally conscious way. The cleanup process took about one month.

No people were injured on the ground in the crash, but the Marines said it resulted in the loss of privately owned “forested land and crops.”

It also ended in the loss of the F-35B, worth about $100 million, investigators wrote.

related stories

Pilot error caused missing F-35 jet and ejection over North Charleston, investigation finds

Marine investigators say an F-35B stealth fighter pilot grew disoriented amid multiple system failures while flying in stormy weather over North Charleston in 2023, prompting the pilot to eject even though the jet was still capable of flying.Investigators identified an "electrical event" during the flight that triggered multiple malfunctions, including the aircraft's radios, transponder and air navigation system.Glitches also caused the plane's $400,000 helmet-mounted display to flicker at least three times.But...

Marine investigators say an F-35B stealth fighter pilot grew disoriented amid multiple system failures while flying in stormy weather over North Charleston in 2023, prompting the pilot to eject even though the jet was still capable of flying.

Investigators identified an "electrical event" during the flight that triggered multiple malfunctions, including the aircraft's radios, transponder and air navigation system.

Glitches also caused the plane's $400,000 helmet-mounted display to flicker at least three times.

But the investigation concluded that the pilot's decision to bail out of the jet was "ultimately inappropriate" because other instrumentation was "partially operational." As proof, the report said: "Furthermore, the aircraft continued to fly for an extended period after ejection."

The Marine Corps report redacted the pilot's name, but a Defense News story Oct. 31 identified him as Col. Charles "Tre" Del Pizzo, 49.

The Marine investigative report said no punitive actions were taken against the pilot. However, Defense News quoted Del Pizzo as saying he recently lost command of a squadron in Arizona because of the mishap.

The report comes more than a year after two Beaufort-based F-35Bs were flying near thunderstorms over Charleston International Airport. Under these dark clouds, one pilot ejected. But his F-35B kept flying.

Search parties deployed across the region, hunting for a crash site. The situation grew more bizarre as time passed without any evidence of a crash. Social media memes spread, including one with an F-35 on a milk carton and the word “Missing” splashed across it.

About 27 hours later, search crews finally found the wreckage. Debris was strewn across a field and swamp in the Indiantown community in rural Williamsburg County, about 64 miles from North Charleston. The crash had burned patches of pines brown and scattered fragments across a cotton field.

Military cleanup units arrived, erected signs declaring the area a national defense zone and excavated a crater big enough to hold a couple of trucks.

Then, more than a year passed without any word about what caused the ejection, a delay that raised eyebrows. The Marine Corps normally issues a preliminary report within a few months, Dan Grazier, a defense expert with the Stimson Center think tank, told The Post and Courier earlier this year.

“The longer (the investigation) drags out and we don’t hear about the findings, the more suspicious it gets that there’s some systemic problem with the aircraft,” he said.

The Marine investigation ultimately found a combination of system and pilot errors led to the ejection and crash.

Details of F-35B ejection

In its investigation, the Marine Corps said the Beaufort-based pilots knew the weather might be bad over Charleston the afternoon of Sept. 17, 2023, but forecasters predicted at least four miles of visibility, so the mission went forward.

But the weather soon grew worse, with lightning detected within 10 miles of Joint Base Charleston. The two pilots completed their training mission and planned to land at the Charleston base. One landed, but the second ran into trouble.

The F-35B is capable of hovering, and as the pilot neared the base, he pressed a button that converts the aircraft from conventional flight to hover mode.

A minute later, displays began to malfunction, the Marine report found. The pilot (identified by Defense News as Col. Del Pizzo) raised his landing gear and put the plane back into its non-hover mode.

In an interview with investigators, the pilot said his helmet-mounted display flickered. The display allows pilots to see through the jet's gray skin, thanks to six external infrared cameras on the plane. It also is the pilot's critical link to flight and tactical sensors.

The pilot said he saw multiple malfunctions on his helmet display, and that he thought the jet might have an engine problem. He lost contact with air traffic controllers. He saw more failures.

"Unsure of which instruments he could trust, (the pilot) perceived he had entered out-of-control flight."

The pilot then "ejected from a flyable aircraft, albeit during a heavy rainstorm compounded with aircraft electrical and display malfunctions," investigators later concluded.

Ejection and crash details

The Marines offered somewhat conflicting details about his experience.

One section of the report described him as a "highly experienced fighter/attack pilot" and an instructor VMFAT-501 in Beaufort. Yet, he also was "relative novice in the F-35B." Another section noted that the pilot had more than 1,200 flight hours on the F-35 before the mishap.

Del Pizzo's official Marine Corps biography said he is from Atlanta and completed his Marine Corps Parris Island training in 1993. He was deployed six times, including roles in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, the Second Gulf War and Operation Inherent Resolve, the international war against the Islamic State. He had more than 3,000 hours in multiple military and civilian aircraft.

Ejecting from a fighter jet is a lesson in violence. A line of explosives blows off the canopy. Straps pin a pilot's arms and legs to the seat. Air bags inflate around the pilot's neck and head. A rocket fires, launching the pilot into the air, a process that generates as much as 18 Gs.

During Del Pizzo's ejection, the force ripped off his helmet and mask. The pilot saw he was floating into a residential neighborhood and used his steering toggles to avoid power lines and land in a backyard. A resident helped him into the kitchen and called 911.

The Post and Courier obtained a recording of that call.

“… I guess we got a pilot in our house, and he says he got ejected, or he ejected from the plane,” the resident told the dispatcher. “So can we just see if we can get an ambulance please?”

“I’m sorry, what happened?” the dispatcher said.

Del Pizzo took the phone.

“I’m the pilot. We need to get rescue rolling. I’m not sure where the airplane is. It would have crash-landed somewhere. I ejected.”

Del Pizzo said he was OK but that his back hurt. The dispatcher asked, "OK, and what caused the fall?"

“An aircraft failure,” Del Pizzo answered.

After paramedics arrived, Del Pizzo walked to the ambulance and was taken to the Medical University of South Carolina.

Above, his plane traced an unusual route.

It flew "in a nominally trimmed condition" for 11 minutes and 21 seconds, climbing at a 10-degree angle to about 9,300 feet, then descending in a right turn.

The jet then began "clipping the top of a densely forested area," the report found.

The investigation concludes the jet was able to continue flying due to its "advanced automatic flight-control systems."

The report said Air Force personnel in Charleston lost contact with the plane near Bonneau, about 25 miles north of the base.

Marine investigators offered several reasons for the 27-hour delay in finding the wreckage: the loss of radar contact; its flight below air traffic control's radar horizon; and its stealth technology.

More questions

Investigators cleared the pilot of dereliction of duty. Del Pizzo assumed command of a squadron in Yuma, Arizona, in June, months after investigators had done much of its investigation.

But on Oct. 2, Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Bradford Gering relieved Del Pizzo of his command in Yuma, Defense News reported. Gering reportedly cited a "loss of trust and confidence in his ability to execute the responsibilities of his command.”

The Post and Courier could not immediately reach Del Pizzo for comment.

The report comes against a background of air space successes and questions about the jet's reliability.

Together, the three F-35 variants make up the nation’s most expensive weapons program and among the most important. It's known as a fifth generation fighter, meaning it was designed to replace stalwarts such as the F-16 and F-18 fighters.

The Marines said the plane's loss amounted to $100 million, but other cost data suggest a higher price tag of about $150 million apiece, including all necessary and supplies.

The ejection and crash in South Carolina follow at least 10 other F-35 crashes since 2018 and come amid longstanding questions about mounting costs, which may pass the $2 trillion mark for the whole program, according to one recent federal report.

For nearly four years, the Air Force limited certain F-35s from flying near thunderstorms over fears that lightning could cause the fuel system to explode.

Inadequate training and the lack of spare parts also have been chronic problems. The U.S. fleet of F-35s has failed its readiness goals for the past six years, the Government Accountability Office said in an Oct. 21, 2024, analysis.

At the same time, F-35s are being used increasingly in combat operations, including Israel's recent attack against Iran.

Behind the scenes of South Carolina Aquarium’s next exhibit in Charleston

Home>Construction>Behind the scenes of South Carolina Aquarium’s next exhibit in CharlestonA women-focused construction organization recently got a sneak peek of South Carolina Aquarium’s next exhibit.Over 30 members of the Charleston Chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction attended a hard hat tour of the mu...

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Behind the scenes of South Carolina Aquarium’s next exhibit in Charleston

A women-focused construction organization recently got a sneak peek of South Carolina Aquarium’s next exhibit.

Over 30 members of the Charleston Chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction attended a hard hat tour of the much-anticipated South Carolina Aquarium Boeing Learning Lab being constructed at the Charleston Maritime Center next to the International African American History Museum, according to a news release.

Trident Construction hosted the all-female group of leaders in the construction industry. This was an opportunity for the group to survey the project site and learn how Trident Construction, along with architect John Ciccarelli and engineers, are working together to create a customized learning lab for the South Carolina Aquarium, the release stated.

“There are many talented female leaders in the construction industry, especially here in Charleston,” said Tim Kennedy, president of Trident Construction, in the release. “Our company is thrilled to support these extraordinary individuals by hosting an event for them at one of our favorite projects, The Boeing Learning Lab.”

Jordan Dickens, who is on the board of directors of NAWIC, said the non-profit organization feels it’s important to ensure the next generation sees the important role women are playing in the construction industry.

“All our members are experts in their field,” Dickens said in the release, “whether that’s owning their own construction firm as I do or working in what was once considered a man’s role such as plumbing, electricity, roofing and HVAC, they do it all and they do it extremely well.”

Related: South Carolina Aquarium breaks ground on Boeing Learning Lab

Situated along the waterfront of the Charleston Harbor and a short walk from the South Carolina Aquarium, the Boeing Learning Lab will comprise 8,500 square feet of educational space that includes four indoor classrooms, one open-air classroom, a broadcast studio to conduct virtual programs, and office space for aquarium staff.

The Learning Lab, which will be run by the South Carolina Aquarium’s education department and will double the number of students they can serve annually through their core education offerings, including a slate of teen programs, including the High School Intern Program and Teen Science Cafés, the release stated.

The Boeing Learning Lab is a collaboration with the city of Charleston, and broke ground July 2023, and is estimated to be complete by December 2024.

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Those both for and against Charleston. Co. sales tax plead case to voters

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - Those both for and against the transportation sales tax are making their last-ditch effort to sway undecided voters.Two separate news conferences were held on Wednesday. The first urged voters to vote yes and the second urged voters to vote no.If the tax is renewed, Charleston County residents would pay a half-cent sales tax for 25 years, starting in 2027. From that money, $5.4 billion will go toward 22 large-scale transportation, drainage and greenbelt projects.Officials for the tax say the ren...

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - Those both for and against the transportation sales tax are making their last-ditch effort to sway undecided voters.

Two separate news conferences were held on Wednesday. The first urged voters to vote yes and the second urged voters to vote no.

If the tax is renewed, Charleston County residents would pay a half-cent sales tax for 25 years, starting in 2027. From that money, $5.4 billion will go toward 22 large-scale transportation, drainage and greenbelt projects.

Officials for the tax say the renewal is necessary to fund several projects that will relieve traffic congestion and accidents.

They believe voting no is a vote to kill Charleston’s transportation program.

“It doesn’t have anything to do with some agenda, we just need to get it done,” North Charleston Mayor Reggie Burgess said. ”If we can get it done, the county, city and state can do so much more around that. It’s time, it’s time.”

Vice Chairwoman Jenny Honeycutt is in favor of the tax and says there’s a lot more to do as the county continues to grow.

“One of the very misleading messages is that parts of the county may not gain as much from this, but we are regionally connected, and it has always been our priority to make sure every area is represented,” Honeycutt said. “In other sales taxes, east of the Cooper has seen much more improvement while Johns Island and south parts of Charleston haven’t, and now it’s their turn.”

Officials against the tax say the only project listed as a priority is the Mark Clark Extension, which will consume almost half of the entire 2024 tax and lead to overdevelopment.

Councilman Larry Kobrovsky is voting no and wants to see council to create something that covers all needs of the county in a fiscally responsible manner.

“They are hundreds of millions of dollars short of being able to build those other things and they aren’t committed to it, those other projects are just a wish list,” Kobrovsky said. ”There’s no way of knowing whether or not it’s going to be done. I ask people to vote now and make us come back with something that is definite.”

The decision is up to the voters, and we’ll know what they’ve decided in less than a week.

For more information on the referendum, click here.

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