2 adults, 3 children dead after small plane crashes off I-40 in West Nashville

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Five people, including three children, died Monday night after a small plane crashed near the shoulder of Interstate 40 East in West Nashville on March 4.

The Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) said at around 7:40 p.m. the control tower at John C. Tune Airport received a message from the pilot of a single-engine plane, saying they were experiencing engine and power failure and needed emergency approval to land. Officials gave approval to land on Runway 2, but the pilot then radioed the plane wasn’t going to make it to the airport.

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Police said the plane ended up crashing behind the Costco store just off the eastbound lanes of I-40. Authorities initially reported “several persons” were on board and it was believed everyone on board died. MNPD later confirmed five people died in the crash.

According to Aaron McCarter, an Air Safety Investigator with the National Transportation and Safety Board (NTSB), preliminary indications say the plane experienced a “catastrophic” and total loss of power in the engine “for reasons unknown.” The plane’s flight path originated from Ontario, Canada, according to McCarter, though the identity of the pilot and passengers still remains unclear. Investigators are currently working with Canadian officials to confirm their identities.

Investigators said they are working with federal authorities to determine where the plane took off from. Witnesses reported the plane was coming over the I-40 area from the north and crossed over the lanes of the interstate before crashing on a grassy median, according to authorities.

AUDIO: Air traffic control audio details moments before deadly Nashville plane crash

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and NTSB will be conducting the investigation into why the plane went down and the circumstances surrounding the crash. Police said the scene was stabilized until federal authorities arrived.

As of 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 5, McCarter said all the wreckage was packed up to be taken to an aviation facility in Springfield, where investigators will conduct a wreckage examination to determine what caused the engine failure.

The Nashville Fire Department said crews went to the crash site immediately after several witnesses saw the plane crash. When the plane hit the ground, officials said it immediately burst into flames.

Crews arrived on scene and saw heavy flames and smoke coming from the crash site. Firefighters were able to extinguish the fire and preserve evidence from the scene so appropriate agencies can investigate what led up to the crash, according to investigators.

The eastbound lanes of I-40 were closed late Monday night as crews continued to investigate the scene. The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) announced all lanes of traffic reopened shortly after 2:30 a.m. on Tuesday, March 5.

Police said no vehicles were damaged and the aircraft did not hit any buildings during its descent. No one on the ground was injured.

Investigators were later able to identify the plane as CF-BWH Piper PA-28 aircraft.

According to McCarter, any witness accounts or dashcam videos that saw the crash should contact the NTSB via email at Witness@NTSB.Gov.

“If you saw it; if you heard it,” McCarter said, contact the NTSB.

WATCH: Metro officials share update on plane crash in West Nashville, TN

Nashville International Airport (BNA) issued the following statement to News 2 regarding the crash:

“This evening, at approximately 7:49 p.m., the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority (MNAA) was alerted of a single-engine aircraft crash three miles south of John C. Tune Airport® (JWN®), near I-40 at mile marker 203. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will investigate this aircraft accident after Metro first responders ensure the accident scene is safe. Please contact Metro emergency personnel for additional details.”

The investigation is ongoing. McCarter said a preliminary report should be available from NTSB in about 10 days.

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This is a developing story. WKRN News 2 will continue to update this article as new information becomes available.

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