On July 2, a plane heading from Kentucky to Tennessee crashed in the vicinity of Cottontown in Sumner County, TN, resulting in the death of the pilot. No other people were on board the plane at the time of the accident, and no other injuries have been reported. The cause of the crash is currently under investigation by the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

One Dead in Sumner County Plane Crash

The plane crash occurred at Collier Lane and Highway 25, located near Cottonfield in Sumner County, TN, at approximately 1:00 PM local time. The plane had reportedly departed from Hopkinsville-Christian County Airport in Hopkinsville, KY, and was headed to Cleveland Regional Jetport in Cleveland, TN. The only person on board at the time was the pilot, who sadly perished in the accident.

What is Known About the Flight

The plane was an Ercoupe 415-C, a fixed-wing single engine craft with registration number N93985. The plane was registered to Wings of Hope, a charitable organization headquartered out of St. Louis, MO. The identity of the pilot has not yet been publicly confirmed, and it is unknown what his status might have been prior to the accident.

Possible Causes of the Accident

Broadly speaking, there are three primary issues that might have led to this accident occurring. First, there may have been unforeseen inclement weather, which is unlikely given that skies were generally clear that day. Second, there may have been a major mechanical malfunction, either due to defective parts or improper maintenance. Finally, there is a chance that the pilot may have made some kind of critical error that led to the accident.

What Happens Now

The FAA and NTSB will be leading an investigation into what may have led to the accident occurring. This includes a physical examination of the crash site and the body of the plane itself, as well as an autopsy of the deceased individual. A preliminary report on the accident will be released within a few weeks, with a full report expected within about six months.