Five people die in tragic plane crash in Tennessee when it crashes near the highway

At least five people died Monday night in West Nashville, Tennessee, when a single-engine plane went out of control and crashed to the ground near Interstate 40, local authorities reported.

The accident occurred at 7:44 p.m., between the Nashville West shopping center and the interstate, near the eastbound lanes, police reports stated. The pilot had reported that the plane was having engine problems and had requested permission to make an emergency landing at John C. Tune Airport, which is three miles south of the crash site.

According to a statement from the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority, the plane crashed before arriving at the airport. At this time, no other vehicles or buildings were affected by the impact.

Emergency crews quickly arrived at the scene, and found a devastating scene. The plane was engulfed in flames and smoke, and no survivors were reported.

“The impact was catastrophic. “Our crews worked hard to extinguish the fire and preserve evidence for the investigation,” said Kendra Loney, spokesperson for the Nashville Fire Department, at a press conference.

The accident investigation is being carried out by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which have already collected evidence from the scene. The causes of the engine failure and the circumstances of the accident could be determined soon.

For his part, Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell expressed his condolences to the victims’ families and thanked the rescuers who responded to the tragic accident for their work.

“We are shocked and saddened by the plane crash that occurred near Interstate 40 tonight. Our thoughts are with the loved ones of the five deceased. I want to recognize the work of the Metro first responders, who acted quickly and professionally,” O’Connell said.

According to the Tennessee Department of Transportation, I-40 East temporarily closed to facilitate emergency crews’ access to the crash site. The closure remained in place until Tuesday morning, when the highway was reopened.

With information from WSMV