Three children were among five Canadians killed when a small plane crashed near Nashville, Tennessee, authorities said Tuesday.
Aaron McCarter, an air safety investigator for the National Transportation Safety Board, told reporters in Nashville that the exact ages, names and genders of the five victims on the flight from Ontario were not immediately available.
The single-engine plane came down about 60 feet off the eastbound lanes of Interstate 40 near the Nashville suburb of Charlotte Park just before 8 p.m. Monday, officials said.
McCarter said the plane circled at 2,500 feet above John C. Tune Airport and flew briefly, and then lost power as it was returning to the airport.
“For unknown reasons, the aircraft descended and approached John C. Tune Airport and passed through an altitude of 2,500 feet,” McCarter said. The pilot reported that he was about to pass over the airport at an altitude of 2,500 feet. “Shortly thereafter the pilot reported catastrophic engine power loss, complete loss of power.”
The plane crashed about 3 miles from the airport.
McCarter said, “We’re still trying to figure out why he decided to fly at 2,500 feet over the airport. I don’t know that yet.” “We are still in the early stages of this investigation. These are all things that will emerge in later days.”
The pilot appeared calm as he told air traffic controllers that his plane was falling rapidly.
“I am declaring a state of emergency,” he said, according to a recording on LiveATC.net. “My engine quit.”
Runway 2 at John C. Tune Airport was cleared for the distressed plane, but the pilot said he had already descended to 1,600 feet and was doubtful he would be able to reach the airport: “I’m going to land I am here; I don’t know where.”
He further added, “Yes, it (the airport) is in my sights.” “I’m too far away; I won’t make it.”
Concerned controllers told the pilot to avoid reaching the airport.
“Keep flying that airplane!” Tower said. “If you can glide there, they’re clearing the runway for you!”
Authorities said the plane came from Ontario and had stops in Erie, Pennsylvania, and Mount Sterling, Kentucky.
McCarter said it was hovering at about 10,500 feet for most of the trip and encountered no problems. The final NTSB report could take up to a year to identify the probable cause of Monday’s crash.
