Importance Score: 35 / 100 🔵
A fatal plane crash in Tennessee claimed the lives of three individuals Saturday morning. The single-engine aircraft went down near the Upper Cumberland Regional Airport, prompting an investigation by federal authorities. This incident is the latest in a string of recent small plane crashes across the country.
Plane Crash Details
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that the Mooney M20TN crashed south of Sparta’s Upper Cumberland Regional Airport.
Timeline of Events
- Airport officials received reports of a distressed aircraft around 11:50 a.m.
- Memphis Air Traffic Control Center subsequently confirmed loss of communication and contact with the plane.
- The aircraft, originating from Alabama, was approaching the airport for landing when the crash occurred.
Search and Discovery
Emergency responders, including fire and rescue personnel and volunteers, initiated a search for the crash site. An aerial search launched by the airport pinpointed the wreckage in a “remote” area.
Investigation Underway
The FAA arrived at the scene to begin its investigation. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will lead the inquiry, with investigators arriving on Sunday to further analyze the incident.
Identification of Victims
Authorities are withholding the identities of the deceased pending notification of their families.
Recent Plane Accidents
This Tennessee crash is part of a concerning pattern of recent small plane accidents:
- Last month, a plane crashed into a residence in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota.
- Approximately two weeks later, another aircraft went down in upstate New York.
- The previous Saturday, a plane crash in Nebraska resulted in three fatalities.
- On the following Sunday, four more individuals perished in a single-engine plane crash in Illinois.
Sparta, Tennessee, is located roughly 96 miles southeast of Nashville.