(SMYRNA, TN) The Rutherford County Medical Examiner’s Office has released a statement regarding its investigations into the Percy Priest lake small jet crash incident:
“The seven individuals believed to be on board the 1982 Cessna 501 that crashed into Percy Priest Lake Saturday, May 29 have now been formally identified as the deceased.
The names of those individuals are William J. Lara, Gwen S. Lara, Jennifer J. Martin, David L. Martin, Jessica Walters, Jonathan Walters, and Brandon Hannah all of Brentwood, Tennessee.
Our hearts continue to go out to their families and friends, as this during this very difficult and tragic time.”
Previous News Story:
On Sunday May 30, 2021, multiple agencies remained at the site of where a small jet plane crashed into Percy Priest lake on Saturday (5/29/21) morning.
Dive teams from Rutherford County Fire & Rescue (RCFR), Metro Nashville Office of Emergency Management, the Metro Nashville Police Department, and the Wilson County Emergency Management agency have recovered multiple components of the 1982 CESSNA 501 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.
It is not known what caused the plane to crash and retired FAA Inspector Larry Williams told WGNS that one of his concerns is that it all happened so quickly. Reports indicate the pilot didn't even have time to call for help...
According to officials with the National Transportation Safety Board, the entire investigation could take one to even two years to complete.
