5 killed in plane crash on side of interstate in Tennessee, police say

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV/Gray News) - Police say five people died when a small plane crashed on the side of Interstate 40 in West Nashville, Tennessee.

The crash was reported at 7:44 p.m. Monday and occurred between the Nashville West Shopping Center and the interstate near the eastbound lanes.

Officials say the pilot of the plane requested an emergency landing at John C. Tune Airport, saying they were experiencing engine problems. The plane crashed three miles south of the airport, said the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority in a statement.

Police said earlier that everyone on the plane died in the crash. No vehicles or buildings were hit.

“That impact was catastrophic and did not leave any survivors. When our crews arrived on scene, they were met with heavy flames and fire, smoke in the area from the crash site,” said Nashville Fire Department spokesperson Kendra Loney at a press conference Monday night.

Officials say evidence from the scene was recovered to help with the investigation, which will be led by the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration.

“They were able to extinguish that fire and also preserve the evidence from that scene so that the appropriate agencies can come and investigate what led to this deadly accident,” Loney said.

Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell praised first responders, who were on the site quickly.

“Our thoughts go out to the loved ones of all those on board the single-engine aircraft that crashed near Interstate 40 this evening,” O’Connell said in a social media post. “I want to thank the Metro emergency responders who were on site quickly and extinguished the fire.”

The Tennessee Department of Transportation closed I-40 East immediately, so emergency crews could access the crash site. Eastbound traffic was routed off at Exit 201/Charlotte Pike all night. The investigation and closure remains in place early Tuesday morning.