A small plane used for skydiving crashed shortly after takeoff in Tennessee leaving four people injured, the New York Times reports.
The DeHavilland DH-6 Twin Otter aircraft departed from Tullahoma Regional Airport around 12:30 p.m. before crashing near Old Shelbyville Road, approximately 75 miles south of Nashville, on Sunday. Lyle Russell, a spokesperson for the city of Tullahoma, confirmed the incident in a statement.
“There were no casualties,” Russell said. “There are some minor injuries. The scene is being secured by local authorities while FAA officials are en route to continue the investigation.”
According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, three individuals were transported by helicopter and one by ambulance for more serious injuries. “Other minor injuries were treated by first responders on scene,” Russell added.
Russell added that no ground structures were affected, and no bystanders were hurt. Footage shared on social media shows the damaged plane in a grassy field with its wings broken off and emergency responders surrounding the crash site. The cause of the crash remains under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration.
This latest crash comes amid heightened scrutiny of aviation safety in the U.S., following a series of both private and commercial aviation incidents this year. In January, a mid-air collision over the Potomac River involving an American Airlines flight and an Army helicopter killed 67 people, prompting renewed concern over flight safety protocols nationwide.
