Pilot killed after small plane crashes into Cumberland RiverSource: David von Diemar on Unsplash The pilot of an experimental Aviat PTS1, a single-engine aircraft, lost his life on Monday afternoon after it crashed into the Cumberland River close to Cheatham County. First responders saw the aircraft submerged in about five feet of water when they arrived at the scene off Chapmansboro Road, according to WSMV. The aerobatic plane, which is usually used for aerial stunts, had taken off from a nearby commuter airport, according to officials. The Cheatham County Sheriff’s Office verified that no other passengers were on board when the incident occurred, and the plane was found upside down in the river.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will oversee an investigation into the cause of the accident. The FAA was contacted by local authorities and later informed News 2 that an Aviat Pitts S-1-11B was the model involved in the crash. The accident occurred close to the difficult-to-access Dyson Ditch Wildlife Refuge.
Due to the crash site’s isolated location, access proved to be dangerous. “It was very difficult to get to, the area that it’s in is very remote,” Lieutenant Drew Akin of the Cheatham County Fire Department described the incident to News 2, noting that several deputies plunged into the river in an attempt to save the victim “without hesitation. In an attempt to establish contact and determine whether a rescue was feasible, they dove into the sea. Specifically, in this instance, it wasn’t,” stated Akin. Ashland City Parks has announced that the Eagle Pass Trailhead and surrounding trails will be temporarily closed due to ongoing investigations and recovery work. Visitors are encouraged to reroute to Marks Creek Trailhead and the Sycamore Harbor side.
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