NASHVILLE, TN – All five people aboard a small aircraft died Monday when it crashed alongside a busy Nashville highway shortly after the pilot reported engine failure. The plane, bound for John C. Tune Airport, burst into flames upon impact, causing traffic on Interstate 40 to come to a standstill.
The pilot’s identity is being withheld pending notification of family. The pilot was traveling with another adult and three unidentified children. All five occupants were Canadian citizens.
Air traffic controllers cleared the runway for an emergency landing after the pilot radioed that his engine had suddenly malfunctioned. Despite initially sighting the runway, he reported being unable to reach it, stating, “I’m too far away. I’m not going to make it!” That was the last transmission received from the aircraft.
The plane crashed at a 45-degree angle, erupting in a fireball visible to horrified drivers. Emergency crews swiftly extinguished the blaze. Miraculously, no one on the ground was injured and there was no damage to structures beside the highway.
The National Transportation Safety Board is responsible for leading the investigation into the deadly crash. The Canadian government is assisting with the identification of the victims.
Investigators confirmed the single-engine Piper PA-32 originated in Ontario with refueling stops in Pennsylvania and Kentucky. No irregularities were observed in its flight pattern prior to the emergency.