Pilot killed after small plane crashes into Cumberland River in Cheatham County

CHEATHAM COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — A pilot was killed when a biplane crashed into the Cumberland River in Cheatham County Monday afternoon.

Initial reports of the crash came in from Chapmansboro Road around 2 p.m. The area Emergency Management Agency coordinator told News 2 that at the time, fire units were called to respond.

On Tuesday, the Cheatham County Sheriff’s Office identified the pilot as Darel Whittaker of Cheatham County.

Documents from the Medical Examiner’s Office and Cheatham County EMS show a different spelling of Whittaker’s name – “Darrel” – we have included both spellings in this article. Family members confirmed the spelling as Darrel Whittaker.

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Area responders reported seeing smoke, but could not confirm that the smoke had come from a plane crash. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been contacted by area authorities. News 2 reached out to the FAA and learned that an Aviat Pitts S-1-11B crashed into the Cumberland River in Chapmansboro.

The FAA added only the pilot was aboard the aircraft. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will investigate the crash. The plane was located in an area called Dyson’s ditch, which officials said is on a wildlife refuge and has very rural terrain.

“It was very difficult to get to, the area that it’s in is very remote,” lieutenant with the Cheatham County Fire Department, Drew Akin, said. “There’s a walking trail here that used to be an old railroad bed that was converted in a walking trail. That’s really the only access to where it was.”

Officials said the plane was covered with water and mud and was fortunate to not hit any nearby houses.

On Tuesday, a senior air safety investigator for the NTSB released more information about the crash.

“The preliminary track that we have shows that the airplane departed from the Whifferdill Airport in Chapmansboro around 1:45 p.m. The accident occurred around 2 p.m.,” said Adam Gerhardt, NTSB Senior Air Safety Investigator. “We have the air track that basically shows the airplane maneuvering right around that airport and the Cumberland River area. So, those are the basic facts that we know to date. “

Gerhardt added that NTSB’s investigation will look into multiple factors to determine what led to the deadly crash.

“The investigation will look into multiple areas. Everything is on the table until we slowly and methodically move different findings off the table to suggest that they weren’t a factor.”

The NTSB also extended their condolences to the family of the pilot and praised local first responders for how quickly they responded to the crash site.

In fact, some deputies went into the river and swam in an attempt to reach the wreckage.

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“Initial responders on scene were the Cheatham County Sheriff’s Office and some of their deputies actually went into the water. It’s about 300 or so yards from land to where the plane actually is,” Akin added. “They responded and when they got here without hesitation. They got into the water to try and make contact to see if a rescue was going to be possible. In this case, it wasn’t.”

According to NTSB, an investigation into the crash will be complicated and lengthy, especially since the plane is still in the water.

“The investigation is complicated by the fact that the airplane is still in the water. We’re working on a plan in the next 12 to 24 hours to get that airplane out the water. We then move the wreckage to a secure facility in Springfield, Tennessee where that investigation will continue for at least 12 months.”

Ashland City Parks announced the Eagle Pass Trailhead and trail would be closed for the next few days due to the crash. Park officials advised folks to use Marks Creek Trailhead and the Sycamore Harbor side instead.

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