Five lives were lost in a tragic plane crash on March 4, 2024. The single-engine plane went down near Interstate 40, not far from John C. Tune Airport in Nashville, Tennessee.
The Metro Nashville Police Department disclosed that the pilot made contact with John C. Tune Airport at around 7:40 p.m., reporting that his engine had shut down and requesting clearance for an emergency landing. Unfortunately, despite getting approval, the pilot was unable to reach the runway which had been cleared for him. The single-engine Piper PA-32RT-300T aircraft went up in flames in a grassy area behind a Costco store, situated three miles from the airport.
The plane’s journey started in Ontario, Canada, with layovers in Pennsylvania and Kentucky. The aircraft left Mount Sterling around 7:19 p.m.
Don Aaron, Metro Nashville Police Department spokesman, confirmed the fatalities, stating, “It appears that everyone on board perished.” Notably, there were no casualties or injuries on the ground despite the plane’s proximity to the interstate.
Kendra Loney, a representative from the Nashville Fire Department, confirmed that no vehicles or structures were damaged in the crash. Emergency services were swift to secure the crash site and gather wreckage to assist with the investigation.
During a press conference at the crash site on March 5, Aaron McCarter, an investigator with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), stated that the aircraft was carrying three children and two adults. All passengers were Canadian nationals. it was revealed that the plane was registered in Canada in July 2023.
The Metro Nashville Police Department identified the victims as pilot Victor Dotsenko, 43, his wife, Rimma Dotsenko, 39, and their three children, David, 12, Adam, 10, and Emma, 7.
The NTSB will focus its investigation on the pilot, including examining his qualifications and overall flight experience, such as the number of flight hours recorded.
McCarter acknowledged the emotional toll of investigating crashes involving children. However, he stressed the crucial need to understand what led to this tragic event.
Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell lauded the quick response of emergency services and extended his condolences to the victims’ families and friends. The Tennessee Department of Transportation effectively managed traffic disruptions, implementing detours to allow a comprehensive investigation and ensure public safety.
Witness video footage showed the plane engulfed in flames and smoke. Police-released images depicted the plane’s distorted wreckage amidst emergency crews in a grassy area.
Live traffic camera footage showed a large-scale response from emergency services, which halted all eastbound traffic near the crash site and resulted in significant traffic delays on the closed segment of I-40 East.
