TULLAHOMA, Tenn. (WKRN) — Authorities and first responders were called to the scene of a plane crash in Tullahoma Sunday afternoon that reportedly left multiple people injured.
According to the Coffee County Sheriff’s Department, the crash was reported Sunday, June 8 near the Tullahoma Regional Airport and Old Shelbyville Highway.
Tennessee Highway Patrol said initial reports suggested 16 to 20 people were on board. However, the Federal Aviation Administration said preliminary information pointed to 20 people being on the de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter, which crashed shortly after leaving Tullahoma Regional Airport around 12:45 p.m.
The City of Tullahoma confirmed a total of 20 passengers, including crew members, were on the plane after it departed from the airport at approximately 12:30 p.m. The plane reportedly experienced an unknown issue shortly after takeoff, causing it to hit both trees and terrain.
The city government wrote on Facebook shortly after 4:15 p.m. that four of the people were brought to local hospitals with more serious injuries — with three transported in medical helicopters and one transported via ambulance — while first responders at the scene treated other minor injuries.
However, according to THP‘s Facebook post from 4:41 p.m., Tullahoma authorities reported a total of six people were injured.
Then, during a press conference held shortly after 5:45 p.m., Tullahoma City Administrator Jason Quick shared the following information about injuries: “After the emergency services arrived, three people were then LifeFlighted to one of the area Nashville hospitals for additional care. Four of those on the plane have been sent to our local hospital, Vanderbilt University Harton Hospital, for treatment, as well. Those that remained on the plane were assessed and cared for by emergency EMT and given any kind of treatment that they needed for what seemed to be a lot of, as you would expect, bumps and bruises and those types of things.”
Meanwhile, Vanderbilt University Medical Center told ABC News on Monday, June 9 the hospital has four plane crash victims, including three in stable condition and one in critical condition, adding that the number hasn’t changed since Sunday.
According to officials, the crash did not result in any casualties, any injuries to those on the ground, or any damage to ground facilities or airport facilities.
Tullahoma leaders also confirmed the plane involved in the incident was a skydiving plane, but it’s unclear whether those on board were skydivers.
ABC News received the following statement from Skydive Tennessee, which has facilitated thousands of skydives since it was founded in 1985:
We are incredibly grateful for the quick actions of our pilot, whose response likely prevented a far more serious outcome. While the incident has understandably shaken us all, we’re relieved that no one was seriously injured. We’re also deeply appreciative of the first responders who arrived so quickly and acted with professionalism and care. Our focus now is on supporting the investigation and our community.
Hans Paulsen, owner of Skydive Tennessee
THP has asked residents to avoid the area to allow emergency crews to work.
According to Quick, the FAA was at the scene Sunday, speaking with those who were on board and those who may have witnessed the incident. The FAA will continue to work with local officials and the local airport authority, but the National Transportation Safety Board is reportedly taking over the investigation into the crash.
The NTSB said its investigations involve three main areas: the pilot, the aircraft, and the operating environment. As part of this process, investigators are interviewing witnesses, as well as gathering aircraft maintenance record and the pilot’s license, ratings, and recency of flight experience. The wreckage is set to be recovered in the next few days and brought to a facility in Springfield for examination.
Quick thanked all those who aided in the response to Sunday’s crash, including Tullahoma Community Engagement Officer Lyle Russell; Jon Glass, manager of the Tullahoma Regional Airport; Allen Lendley, director of the Coffee County Emergency Management Agency; Tullahoma Police Chief Chase Son; and Deputy Chief Jasen Damron from the Tullahoma Fire Department.
“We practice for these types of events all the time with our local officials, our county officials, and with our state officials, hoping that we never have to put what we have practiced into action, but one of the best things that could come from today is the amount of collaborative work that we were able to see on the scene by all officials,” Quick said. “Everyone knew their role, everyone took their role seriously, and everyone did what we needed to do first, which was to take care of all of those who were affected by the event, as well as secure the scene.”
Quick asked the community to pray for those who were impacted by the crash, saying officials have been working with the injured passengers to offer support and comfort, but there are some in serious condition who need extra care.
Even U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais (R-Tenn.) addressed the crash on social media, saying, “Amy and I are praying for the victims of today’s plane crash in Tullahoma. My office stands ready to assist local and state authorities as needed.”
No additional details have been released about Sunday’s plane crash.
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