Aircraft Crash at Percy Priest Lake
Monday 5/31/21 Update: Percy Priest Lake Small Jet Crash
On Monday, May 31, local public safety officials, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), and other recovery partners continued the active investigation into an incident involving a 1982 Cessna 501 that crashed into Percy Priest Lake Saturday morning.
All indications were that William J. Lara, Gwen S. Lara, Jennifer J. Martin, David L. Martin, Jessica Walters, Jonathan Walters, and Brandon Hannah all of Brentwood, Tennessee were on board the flight that originally left Smyrna airport just before 11:00 a.m. heading to Palm Beach International.
After a very successful two days of recovery efforts, crews were able to locate both of the engines and a significant portion of the jet’s fuselage. Items were lifted from the waters and transported with the assistance of a crane and barge.
Additionally, more human remains were recovered, and Rutherford County Medical Examiner’s Office can now confidently verify that there are seven individuals, four males and three females.
Rutherford County Medical Examiner’s Office, working in partnership with Middle Tennessee Regional Forensic Center, are working with the victims’ families to identify those human remains biologically and scientifically.
During the afternoon hours, crews discovered that due to several possible factors including but not limited to weather and boat traffic, the initial debris field was expanded. They are actively performing dive operations to locate and retrieve other components from the crash. On scene operations are likely to continue Tuesday.
The Lamar Boat ramp and waterway will reopen Tuesday. Fate Sanders Recreation Area will remain closed until further notice.
“I cannot say enough about the teamwork of all agencies represented from our local public safety agencies to our federal partners,” said Rutherford County Public Safety Director Chris Clark. “Our teams are all committed to doing absolutely everything we can to bring closure during this very tragic situation.”
According to NTSB officials, the preliminary investigation could take up to 14 days, and the entire investigation could take up to 18-24 months.
“We release information in a very specific format at specific times,” said NTSB media relations representative Eric Weiss. “Water recoveries are more difficult, so patience is appreciated as it may take some time to release updates.”
Inquiries regarding the NTSB investigation should be addressed to [email protected] or 202-324-6100.
FINAL UPDATE for 5/30/21: Percy Priest Small Jet Crash
Officials from multiple local agencies, the National Transportation Safety Board, and the Federal Aviation Administration have worked tirelessly around the clock to continue recovery efforts at the site of a small jet crash at Percy Priest Lake that occurred Saturday morning.
Crews have pulled several components of the aircraft from the waters, along with human remains. At this time, the Rutherford County Medical Examiner’s Office is working with immediate family members to help identify the victims.
“On behalf of all agencies that have responded or contributed to this incident in any way, we extend our sincere condolences to the families and friends affected by this tragedy,” said Rutherford County Fire Rescue Captain Joshua Sanders. “We are committed to working with our federal partners to do everything we can to bring closure to those impacted by this incident.”
Some of the family members of the seven passengers on board and presumed to be deceased have issued statements.
Elizabeth Hannah, wife of Brandon Hannah, and daughter of Gwen S. Lara
“The seven Remnant Fellowship Leaders lost yesterday, including my husband and my mother, were some of the finest, most righteous and loving people I have ever known. I want the entire world to know that my mother, Gwen Shamblin Lara, was the kindest, most gentle, selfless, loving mother and best friend to me and my brother. Her actions and words changed thousands of lives for the better — and her message of “Loving GOD with ALL your heart” – will live on forever and ever – and continue to change lives for all eternity. My beloved husband, Brandon Hannah, took on this message of love for God first— and he truly was one of the most selfless and loving spouses and fathers on the planet. The whole world needs to know that for those who have lost hope – they will find hope and peace and love in the message poured out from Remnant Fellowship, and these amazing seven Leaders will go down in history as some of finest Christians anyone could ever meet.”
— “Even one righteous man in this dark world is an astounding phenomenon. It impacts the world… it CHANGES the world…” — Gwen Lara’s words from her book “History of the One True God Volume 3”
Michael Shamblin, son of Gwen S. Lara
“On behalf of my family and I, we want to thank all of the LAW ENFORCEMENT and FIRST RESPONDERS who helped with this horrible tragedy. My family is just asking for prayers at this time and we hope everyone who was affected, especially the children of the other passengers know that they are very loved and we hope to take special care of their needs in these coming years.
My mother was a special person and her memory will definitely remain for a very long time as she has a place in millions of peoples hearts around the world through her work with the Weigh Down Workshop.
Joe Lara was also such a wonderful husband to my mother and he will be missed.
Thanks again to all who have helped us and these families during this difficult time.”
Ashton Martin Jost, daughter of David L Martin and Jennifer Martin and Diane McCord, Jennifer Martin’s mother.
“Ashton Martin Jost and Diane McCord, on behalf of the family of David and Jennifer Martin, want to express their gratitude to the rescue personnel, police, investigators and Rutherford County authorities assisting with this tragic incident and the investigation, including hose they met with last night. They also want to thank everyone who has reached out with prayers and well wishes.”
Crews have ceased operations for today and will be back first thing in the morning to continue recovery and investigation efforts.
More information will be released as it becomes available. All investigation inquiries shall be submitted to NTSB by calling (202)-314-6100 or emailing [email protected].
MIDDAY UPDATE: Percy Priest Lake Small Jet Crash
Multiple agencies remain on the scene of a small jet that crashed into Percy Priest lake Saturday morning.
Dive teams from Rutherford County Fire Rescue (RCFR), Metro Nashville Office of Emergency Management, Metro Nashville Police Department, and Wilson County Emergency Management have recovered several components of the aircraft as well as human remains.
“The debris field is approximately a half of a mile wide,” said RCFR Captain and Incident Commander John Ingle.
Drone operations continue over the debris field, and airspace traffic has been restricted at the crash site and within a radius of one nautical mile, 500 feet altitude.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has their lead investigator on site now. NTSB is the lead investigating agency with assistance from the Federal Aviation Administration and local officials. NTSB has enlisted the help of other agencies including Cessna aircraft to assist with the investigation. According to NTSB officials, the entire investigation can take up to one to two years to complete.
On scene operations will remain active until dark. Plans as of now are to resume operations again Monday morning.
As a reminder, officials strongly urge civilian boaters to stay away from the areas marked by public safety boats. “Recovery efforts are ongoing on the lake from the Weakley Lane bridge to the Lamar Hill Boat Ramp,” said Ingle. “We are asking all civilian boaters to stay clear of those areas.”
Lamar Hill boat ramp and Fate Sanders Recreation area are closed until further notice.
Inquiries regarding the investigation need to be directed to NTSB. More information will be released as it becomes available.
MORNING UPDATE: Percy Priest Lake Small Jet Crash
Multiple agencies continued operations through the night at the scene of a small jet crash on Percy Priest lake that occurred Saturday morning.
There are no major developments or discoveries at this time. The lead investigator from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is expected to be on site midday to join local officials and Federal Aviation Administration representatives already on site.
Plans are to continue examining the extensive debris field. Dive teams from Rutherford County Fire Rescue, Metro Nashville Office of Emergency Management, Metro Nashville Police Department, and Wilson County Emergency Management Agency will be conducting dive operations in recovery efforts today.
“With dive teams in the water, we are strongly urging civilian boaters to stay away from the public safety boats,” said RCFR Captain and Incident Commander John Ingle. “This is for their safety and the safety of our personnel in the water.”
Ingle also noted that the Lamar Hill boat ramp and Fate Sanders Recreation area are closed until further notice.
“Recovery efforts are ongoing on the lake from the Weakley Lane bridge to the Lamar Hill Boat Ramp,” said Ingle. “We are asking all civilian boaters to stay clear of those areas.”
More information will be released as it becomes available.
UPDATE: Percy Priest Lake Small Jet Crash/Officials Release Names
At 10:53 a.m. Saturday morning, a 1982 CESSNA 501 departed Smyrna Airport heading toward Palm Beach International. Shortly after take-off, the small jet crashed into Percy Priest Lake.
All indications are that a total of seven people were on board. Family members of all persons believed to be on the flight have now been notified. With the families’ permission, officials are releasing the names: William J. Lara, Gwen S. Lara, Jennifer J. Martin, David L. Martin, Jessica Walters, Jonathan Walters, and Brandon Hannah all of Brentwood, Tennessee. All are presumed deceased.
Rutherford County Fire Rescue, Almaville and Lascassas Volunteer Fire Departments, Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office, Rutherford County Emergency Medical Services, Rutherford County Emergency Management Agency, Tennessee Highway Patrol, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, Smyrna Airport Authority Public Safety, Metro Nashville Office of Emergency Management and Stormpoint Disaster Support responded to the scene initially and have since been joined by representatives from the Federal Aviation Administration. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will be the lead investigating agency and will have representatives on site Sunday.
Crews will continue operations through the night.
All questions regarding the investigation should be directed to NTSB. More information will be released as it becomes available.
Preliminary Briefing of Aircraft Crash Percy Priest
Rutherford County Fire Rescue, Almaville and Lascassas Volunteer Fire Departments, Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office, Rutherford County Emergency Medical Services, Rutherford County Emergency Management Agency, Tennessee Highway Patrol, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, and Smyrna Airport Authority Public Safety are all on scene of an incident involving a small jet that crashed into Percy Priest Lake around 11:00 a.m. Saturday morning.
The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board have both been notified and have representatives en route.
At this time, Rutherford County Fire Rescue and Metro Nashville Office of Emergency Management Dive Teams and others on scene are actively determining the extent of the crash site, examining the debris field, and conducting search and rescue operations.
Boaters on the lake should be advised to stay out of the areas marked with public safety boats. Assistance is not needed from civilian boaters.
No private aircraft allowed in the incident area and within one nautical mile’s radius.
