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Three people are dead after small aircraft crash in Williamson County on Wednesday

Oil Slick
Posted
and last updated

LEIPER'S FORK, Tenn. (WTVF) — The Williamson County Sheriff's Office said three people are dead after a plane crash in Leiper's Fork.

The small aircraft crash happened near Bending Chesnut Road and Davis Hollow Road.

Officials are asking people to avoid the area because of the investigation. The plane was headed to Louisville from Gonzales, Louisiana, according to Flight Aware. Audio from Air Traffic Control discussed the plane starting to descend from 9,000 feet. It talked about the plane having options to land 16 miles north. Its last communication to the plane was that air traffic controllers saw the plane heading back south. The control tower kept trying to reach the plane — it's not clear how the pilot responded from the audio.

The plane broke apart in the air, emergency authorities said. The debris is a half-mile long so far, and authorities are still finding debris.

"It sounds like contact lost," the tower said.

Emergency officials said they received a Williamson County 911 call from a resident at around 12:05 p.m. who said a potential explosion happened, and that he saw debris. He said it was a possible plane crash, but that's all the information the caller gave.

The Williamson County Sheriff's Office, Franklin Fire, Williamson County EMA and Williamson Health EMS responded.

"We've had some calls of debris in yards and driveways. We don't have structure damage," Sheriff Mark Elrod said.

On Thursday, Dr. Lucius Doucet III was identified as one of the deceased.

We will update as we receive more information.

Did you see or hear something?

If you live in the area and find debris on your property, please contact the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office at 615-790-5550. A media staging area has been established at the intersection of Bending Chestnut Road and Natchez Trace Parkway.