No survivors after plane carrying five suffers ‘catastrophic’ crash near Nashville highway
Chilling video showed a small single-engine airplane crashing beside a Nashville highway, killing all five onboard — moments after the pilot warned: “I’m too far away, I won’t make it.”
The plane was carrying three children and two adults when it crashed into the ground in a fiery blaze as it was approaching John C. Tune Airport after a flight from Mount Sterling, Kentucky, about 7:40 p.m. Monday when the pilot made an emergency call.
The identities of the five victims are still being determined, the National Transportation Safety Board said.
The pilot reportedly overflew the Nashville airport before reporting engine failure, the NTSB said.
“For reasons unknown, the aircraft descended and approached John C. Tune airport and passed overhead at 2,500 feet The pilot reported that he was going to pass over the airport at 2,500 feet,” NTSB Air Safety Investigator, Aaron McCarter, said, according to WSMV. “Very quickly thereafter, the pilot reported … a complete loss of engine power.”
“I’m declaring an emergency,” the pilot said, according to cockpit audio on LiveATC.net.
“Do you still have John C. Airport in sight?” the controller asks him.
“My engine shut down,” the unidentified pilot says matter-of-factly.
“My engine turned off. I’m at 1,600 (feet)… I’m going to be landing, I don’t know where,” the pilot replies.
The controller instructs him to continue the approach.
“Straight in runway 2, straight in runway 2 at John Tune. Do you have the airport in sight?… you’re clear to land,” the controller says.
The pilot says he has the airport in sight but adds: “I’m too far away, I won’t make it.”
“OK, uhhhh. See if you can glide in there, sir. Glide in, they’re clearing the runway for you,” the controller says, but the plane crashed moments later along Interstate 40 in West Nashville.
The five victims have not yet been identified.
Metro Nashville Police spokesperson Don Aaron told reporters that the plane was coming from the north to the south when it crashed in a grassy median along the interstate just behind a Costco on Charlotte Pike.
The aircraft did not hit any buildings or vehicles as it crashed about 3 miles from the general aviation airport.
Nashville International Airport spokesperson Stacey Nickens said the plane left Mount Sterling, Kentucky, at 7:19 p.m. and was set to arrive at John C. Tune Airport at 7:43 p.m., The Tennessean reported.
The plane’s tail number, C-FBWH, indicates it was a Canada-based 1978 Piper PA-32R, the paper reported.
Kendra Loney, a spokesperson with Nashville Fire Department, described the crash as “catastrophic,” saying witnesses told authorities the plane exploded on impact, according to the outlet.
“According to some witness information, their plane was obviously in distress as it was coming over the interstate, right before it hit the ground,” Aaron said. “I think he was having significant issues keeping the aircraft under control.”
Jamie Hollin, a Nashville resident and former Metro Council member, was driving along the interstate shortly after the crash.
“My kids tried to rubber neck but couldn’t make out what it was that burned so badly,” he told The Tennessean. “They kept saying it wasn’t a car and my mind didn’t expect it to be a plane.”
Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell posted a statement of condolences on X.
“Our thoughts go out to the loved ones of all those on board the single-engine aircraft that crashed near Interstate 40 this evening,” he said.
The National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration are investigating the cause of the deadly crash.
With Post Wires
