Skydiving Plane Crashes in Tennessee, Injuring Six
Passengers Escape Injury in Tullahoma Airport Incident
A small aircraft carrying twenty individuals went down shortly after takeoff in Tullahoma, Tennessee, on Saturday, leaving six people hospitalized with injuries. Fortunately, authorities report no fatalities occurred in the incident.
Details of the Crash
The aircraft, identified as a de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter, crashed around 12:45 p.m. on Old Shelbyville Road, near Tullahoma Regional Airport, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. Lyle Russell, a city spokesperson, confirmed that first responders provided immediate medical attention at the scene.
Six passengers required further medical care and were transported to area hospitals. Two were airlifted, while four were taken by ambulance. One patient, initially treated on the ground, was subsequently flown to another facility for specialized treatment, Russell stated.
Patient Conditions and Hospital Response
Vanderbilt University Hospital in Nashville has admitted three patients from the crash. A hospital spokesperson indicated that one patient is in critical condition, while the other two are stable. The specific nature of their injuries has not been disclosed. Other minor injuries were addressed by first responders at the crash site.
According to the National Transportation Safety Board, an investigation into the cause of the crash is underway. The plane was being used for skydiving operations, Russell added.
General aviation accidents remain a concern; the FAA reported 1,088 general aviation accidents in 2023, with a total of 208 fatalities. FAA Accident Statistics
Ongoing Investigation
The FAA and NTSB are working to determine the factors that led to the crash. Further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses. Authorities have secured the crash site and are collecting evidence to understand the sequence of events.
