‘Violently out of control’: Witnesses say plane’s wings broke before crashing
The plane’s radar data was lost at about 4,500 feet, according to investigators.
FRANKLIN, Tenn. (WSMV) – The plane that crashed in Williamson County on Wednesday descended quickly before becoming “violently out of control,” according to witness statements to the National Transportation Safety Board.
Aaron McCarter, an NTSB aviation accident investigator, said witnesses described the plane as breaking apart midair before crashing, killing the pilot and two passengers on board.
“While approaching Franklin, Tennessee, the airplane descended from about 10,000 feet to about 7,800 feet. The … speed of the airplane increased, as well as its rate of descent,” McCarter said. “Shortly thereafter, credible witnesses that we’ve already spoken with describe the aircraft at level altitude with both wings folding backwards and the airplane going violently out of control.”
McCarter said the plane’s radar data was lost at about 4,500 feet.
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The plane crash victims have been identified as Baton Rouge plastic surgeon Dr. Lucuis “Tre” Doucet and two of his three adult children, Giselle and Jean Luc.
The elder Doucet was flying the 1966 Beechcraft V35 Bonanza. Giselle was studying veterinary medicine at the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine. Jean Luc was an engineering student at LSU. Both were set to graduate this weekend.
A preliminary investigation is expected to be released within 10 days upon the completion of NTSB’s investigation at the crash scene.
The debris field was scattered more a than a half-mile long, McCarter said. A final report with the likely cause of the crash will take nine to 12 months to complete.
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