Anderson County, TN (WOKI) We’re learning more now about April’s deadly plane crash that happened near Knoxville in Anderson County.
A report released from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) indicates that the pilot, 45-year-old James Evan Scarlett, was flying from St. Petersburg, FL to Grand Rapids, MI with a stop at McGhee Tyson Airport.
After takeoff, NTSB says Scarlett reported that the plane was “accumulating moisture” before declaring a “MAYDAY.”
From there, NTSB’s report said the plane spiraled towards the ground about 15 miles from McGhee Tyson. The report also contained witness reports of the crash.
A witness reported that he was outside his residence when he heard what initially sounded like a propeller-driven airplane, but then resembled a “car over-revving.” He looked up and observed an airplane “falling out of the sky, twirling” and descending below the clouds until he lost sight of it. Subsequently, he heard “parts hitting the ground” nearby. He then located what was later identified as the airplane’s vertical stabilizer and rudder. – NTSB
Scarlett was the only person onboard the plane.