Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer was injured Tuesday afternoon when the small plane he was piloting crashed near a runway and caught fire.
Bauer, 37, was in good condition with injuries to his arm and leg, spokesman Dave Lucas said.
Bauer and a passenger, who was also injured, were conscious when rescuers found them, Senate Clerk Jeff Gossett said.
Bauer, a Republican, had flown to the area to visit a friend who had a death in the family, said state Sen. Harvey Peeler. The plane crashed on takeoff, Peeler said.
Aerial news footage showed the twisted wreckage of the plane on fire not far from the runway.
"We're awaiting more details," said Joel Sawyer, spokesman for Gov. Mark Sanford. "Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family."
The weather was sunny with light wind at the time of the crash.