Several injured after skydiving plane crashes in Tullahoma

TULLAHOMA, Tenn. (WKRN) — Authorities and first responders were called to the scene of a plane crash in Tullahoma Sunday afternoon that reportedly left multiple people injured.

According to the Coffee County Sheriff’s Department, the crash was reported Sunday, June 8 near the Tullahoma Regional Airport and Old Shelbyville Highway.

Tennessee Highway Patrol said initial reports suggested 16 to 20 people were on board. However, the Federal Aviation Administration said preliminary information pointed to 20 people being on the de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter, which crashed shortly after leaving Tullahoma Regional Airport around 12:45 p.m.

The City of Tullahoma confirmed a total of 20 passengers, including crew members, were on the plane after it departed from the airport at approximately 12:30 p.m. The plane reportedly experienced an unknown issue shortly after takeoff, causing it to hit both trees and terrain.

The city government wrote on Facebook shortly after 4:15 p.m. that four of the people were brought to local hospitals with more serious injuries — with three transported in medical helicopters and one transported via ambulance — while first responders at the scene treated other minor injuries.

However, according to THP‘s Facebook post from 4:41 p.m., Tullahoma authorities reported a total of six people were injured.

Then, during a press conference held shortly after 5:45 p.m., Tullahoma City Administrator Jason Quick shared the following information about injuries: “After the emergency services arrived, three people were then LifeFlighted to one of the area Nashville hospitals for additional care. Four of those on the plane have been sent to our local hospital, Vanderbilt University Harton Hospital, for treatment, as well. Those that remained on the plane were assessed and cared for by emergency EMT and given any kind of treatment that they needed for what seemed to be a lot of, as you would expect, bumps and bruises and those types of things.”

According to officials, the crash did not result in any casualties, any injuries to those on the ground, or any damage to ground facilities or airport facilities.

Tullahoma leaders also confirmed the plane involved in the incident was a skydiving plane, but it’s unclear whether those on board were skydivers.

THP has asked residents to avoid the area to allow emergency crews to work. There is no word on how long it’ll take to clear the scene.

According to Quick, the FAA is already on the scene, speaking with those who were on board and those who may have witnessed the incident. The FAA will continue to work with local officials and the local airport authority, but the National Transportation Safety Board is reportedly taking over the investigation into the crash.

Quick thanked all those who aided in the response to Sunday’s crash, including Tullahoma Community Engagement Officer Lyle Russell; Jon Glass, manager of the Tullahoma Regional Airport; Allen Lendley, director of the Coffee County Emergency Management Agency; Tullahoma Police Chief Chase Son; and Deputy Chief Jasen Damron from the Tullahoma Fire Department.

“We practice for these types of events all the time with our local officials, our county officials, and with our state officials, hoping that we never have to put what we have practiced into action, but one of the best things that could come from today is the amount of collaborative work that we were able to see on the scene by all officials,” Quick said. “Everyone knew their role, everyone took their role seriously, and everyone did what we needed to do first, which was to take care of all of those who were affected by the event, as well as secure the scene.”

Quick asked the community to pray for those who were impacted by the crash, saying officials have been working with the injured passengers to offer support and comfort, but there are some in serious condition who need extra care.