A fatal plane crash took place in Franklin, Tennessee on May 15, 2024, claiming the lives of all three passengers aboard. The Williamson County Fire/Rescue confirmed the details of the accident, which occurred around 12 noon near Bending Chestnut Road and Davis Hollow Road, through a Facebook post.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) identified the crashed aircraft as a single-engine Beechcraft V35 that had left Baton Rouge, Louisiana, bound for Louisville, Kentucky. The plane allegedly suffered an in-flight breakup, scattering debris over a mile-wide area. The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have initiated an investigation into the crash.
During a press briefing, Chief Deputy Mark Elrod of the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the grim details. “It was quickly evident that this would be a search-and-recovery operation, not a search-and-rescue operation,” Elrod said. “The debris field is quite extensive,” he noted. “Given its size, we can’t determine exactly where the crash began or ended.” He reported that residents in the vicinity had found debris on their properties, but no structures were damaged.
First responders were dispatched to the scene following a 911 call from a local resident who reported hearing an explosion and seeing debris. Jill Burgin, a representative for the Williamson County Emergency Management Agency, relayed the caller’s report of a possible plane crash, though the caller couldn’t provide further specifics. Upon reaching the crash site, the emergency team found no survivors.
The victims of the crash were identified as the pilot, Baton Rouge plastic surgeon Dr. Lucius “Tre” Doucet, and his two adult children, Giselle and Jean Luc. Giselle was a veterinary medicine student at the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine, and Jean Luc was an engineering student at LSU. Both were due to graduate that weekend. A family member informed local media that flying was Dr. Doucet’s favorite pastime. He is survived by one child.
The NTSB plans to review the aircraft’s maintenance records, the pilot’s flight logs, and any potential weather conditions that may have contributed to the crash as part of its investigation. The Beechcraft V35 involved in the crash was produced in 1966 and was registered under Dr. Doucet’s name earlier this year.
Todd Horton, the director of the Williamson County Emergency Management Agency, shared his condolences in a public statement. “Our hearts go out to the family members of the victims,” he said. “Additional comments will be provided by or in coordination with NTSB officials as necessary.”
The crash site is near Leiper’s Fork, Tennessee, approximately 30 miles south of Nashville. Local officials are urging people to steer clear of the area to facilitate the ongoing investigation.
