Simviation Forums

Just heard breaking news, The Planes of Fame F6F Hellcat has crashed on I-40 in the Knoxville, TN area.
As I said this is breaking news so I dont have any specific details as to the condition of the pilot or aircraft, Im assuming since it is reported on the Interstate that it may involve a emergancy landing, but don't want to speculate I will post as soon as more info is released!

Oh dear. I hate hearing this sort of news. Hope the pilot's OK. Also any passers-by.

Ditto!

I hope both the pilot and aircraft are ok

Sorry for the delay in info, but the media can never get the story straight

The Hellcat left the Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge Airport (KGKT) yesterday afternoon (I was there to see it off) and had trouble near Crookville TN (a hour + away) this is why I was confused knowing when it left the area and how it ended up back in Knoxville. It had a fuel problem or was leaking fuel and needed to make a emergency landing, State Troopers and local police shut down both directions of I-40 near Crossville for it to land, it had hit a group of power lines and crashed into the median. One person has been confirmed dead. This is all I know so far and will post again when I get anymore solid information.
The following are quotes from the local media, you will easily see why I don't watch local news

WBIR-TV Knoxville

Small plane crashes into median of I-40

A small plane flying out of Sevierville attempted to make an emergency landing on I-40 near the Putnam County line, late Saturday afternoon. There were problems during the landing and the plane crashed into the median, around mile marker 295.

Prior to the crash, the Tennessee Highway Patrol closed westbound lanes of the interstate after getting word the it was having problems, and would be attempting an emergency landing.

One person onboard the plane was killed. It's not clear if there was anyone else on the plane.

http://wbir.com/news/news.aspx?storyid=29224

WATE-TV

Developing Story: Plane crashes into median on I-40

COOKVILLE, Tn. (WATE)-- A single engine plane crashed into the wooded part of the median on I-40 in Putnam County, just outside of Cookeville, Saturday.

The pilot of the plane was killed, he was the only person on board, no one on the ground was injured.

The plane was a vintage WWII Hellcat registered in Chico, California.

The accident happened at around 4:45pm when the plane crashed into the side of the median landing on some trees. The plane clipped a few TVA powerlines causing power outages to 3500 Monterey residents.

West and Eastbound lanes of I-40 were closed for several hours, but have now reopened.

We will continue to update this story as it develops.

http://wate.com/Global/story.asp?S=3955511&nav=menu7_2

WVLT-TV

Plane Crashes On I-40 In Putnam County

(Putnam County, WVLT) Saturday, an antique aircraft crashed on Interstate 40 at the 295 mile marker in Putnam County, Tennessee.

The plane landed in the median.  Both lanes of traffic are shut down in the area.  Residents say power is out due to the crash.

The plane was a World War II vintage, from an air museum in Chino, California.

It's called a Grumman F-16 Hellcat fighter plane.

One person was thought to be on board, but no word on a condition.

http://www.volunteertv.com/Global/story.asp?S=3955123

from it being called a small plane that landed to a Grumman F16 Hellcat you can see why I don't watch the local media.

Now the questions arise as t why a landing at one of the many area airports was not attempted???

...from it being called a small plane that landed to a Grumman F16 Hellcat you can see why I don't watch the local media.
Now the questions arise as t why a landing at one of the many area airports was not attempted???

An F-16 WW2 Hellcat  ::)
They obviously had no idea what they were dealing with... why would they know the difference from an airstrip and a highway, ".. delayed effects from hurricane Katrina -- now where can we get this pickup truck back on the ground? Quick let's close off I-40!"

I agree H!
Sad day indeed...


A.

One person was thought to be on board, but no word on a condition.

omg, someone needs to realize planes don't fly themselves...
(when they're that old)


WZZZ-TV
news when a boeing 777 crashed in the ocean. no one was thought to be onboard...  ;)

Ramos

PS: get well to the pilot!

PS: get well to the pilot!

You obviously missed this from PI's post...

One person onboard the plane was killed. It's not clear if there was anyone else on the plane

Apparently Planes of Fame will be releasing the pilots name once their next of kin have been informed...

Very sad news indeed...

The plane was photographed supposedly just before leaving Gatlinburg airport. Photo shows a huge belly gas tank, probably 350 gals +/-. if that was leaking, and was not dropped in emergency, there was no way for the plane to make a safe emergency landing ... it burned.
Pilot was 64 yr old who ferried planes for the warbird outfit.
papa-metro usaf 1953-57

Pilot was 64 yr old who ferried planes for the warbird outfit.

Art Vance...