5 dead after plane crashes near Interstate 40 in West Nashville, Tennessee: Police

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Five people have died after a small plane crashed near the shoulder of Interstate 40 in Nashville, Tennessee, according to authorities.

The Metro Nashville Police Department said at around 7:40 p.m. Monday, the control tower at John C. Tune Airport received a message from the pilot of a single-engine plane saying they were experiencing engine and power failure and needed emergency approval to land. Officials gave approval to land, but the pilot then radioed that the plane wasn’t going to make it to the airport.

Police said the plane ended up crashing behind just off the eastbound lanes of Interstate 40.

Kendra Loney, a public information officer for the Nashville Fire Department, said at a press briefing that the plane imploded on impact.

“That impact was catastrophic, and it did not leave any survivors,” Loney said.

Authorities initially did not specify how many people died, but police later confirmed the death toll at five.

(Source: Metro Nashville Police Department)

The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) said all eastbound lanes of I-40 were shut down following the crash. Police said the plane didn’t hit any vehicles or buildings.

The highway was reopened early Tuesday.

Nashville International Airport issued the following statement to NewsNation affiliate WKRN:

“This evening, at approximately 7:49 p.m., the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority (MNAA) was alerted of a single-engine aircraft crash three miles south of John C. Tune Airport (JWN), near I-40 at mile marker 203. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will investigate this aircraft accident after Metro first responders ensure the accident scene is safe. Please contact Metro emergency personnel for additional details.”

The investigation is ongoing.

The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board will also investigate. The NTSB will be in charge of the investigation and will provide any future updates, according to a statement from the FAA.