A twin-engine skydiving aircraft carrying approximately 20 people crashed during takeoff on Sunday afternoon near the Tullahoma Regional Airport in Coffee County, Tennessee, about 60 miles southeast of Nashville. The crash occurred around 12:45 p.m. CT, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and local law enforcement agencies.
Authorities from the Tennessee Highway Patrol and the Coffee County Sheriff’s Department confirmed that multiple people were injured, with at least two victims in critical condition. Several of the injured were airlifted to regional hospitals via medical helicopter, while others were treated at the scene.
Aircraft Details
The aircraft involved was identified as a de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter, a commonly used plane in skydiving operations due to its short takeoff capability and high-altitude capacity.
Footage from the scene shows the aircraft crashed in an open grassy area near Old Shelbyville Highway, just off the runway. The cabin remained mostly intact, possibly reducing the severity of injuries for some occupants.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported on the ground, and the crash site was secured by emergency responders shortly after the incident.
Investigation Underway
The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have opened a formal investigation into the cause of the crash. Early reports do not indicate what caused the aircraft to fail during takeoff, and no mechanical failure or weather issue has been confirmed at this time.
The priority remains on the medical treatment of the injured and site recovery. Authorities are working with airport officials and aviation safety experts to collect witness statements, flight data, and maintenance records.
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