Investigators say the aircraft struck a tree before crashing in a Warren County cornfield.
MORRISON, Tenn. — Two brothers from Tennessee died Wednesday when a small plane struck a tree shortly after takeoff and crashed into a cornfield near Morrison Industrial Park, authorities said. The crash occurred just after noon and is now under investigation by federal aviation officials.
Emergency dispatchers received reports of a possible aircraft crash at about 12:19 p.m. in Warren County. Deputies, firefighters and emergency responders arrived near Morrison Industrial Park and found the wreckage of a single-engine aircraft in a field. Both occupants were pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities said family members confirmed the victims were brothers from the nearby Viola community, though officials initially withheld their names while notification and investigative procedures continued.
Investigators said the aircraft was a Cessna 177 that had departed a private airstrip in Viola shortly before the crash. Preliminary findings indicate the plane struck a tree soon after takeoff, damaging the aircraft. Authorities believe the pilot then attempted to reach Warren County Memorial Airport but was unable to maintain flight long enough to make it there. The aircraft ultimately crashed in a cornfield near the industrial park. The impact ended the flight within minutes of departure and triggered a large emergency response from local agencies.
Witnesses described seeing signs of trouble before the crash. Warren County Commissioner Blaine Wilcher said he was nearby when he heard an engine that sounded unusual. He told local media that the noise reminded him of a machine that was not running properly. Looking up, he saw the aircraft descending steeply. Wilcher said the plane appeared to dip and recover more than once before disappearing behind a line of trees. Moments later, he heard and felt what he described as a heavy impact. He immediately called 911 and directed responders toward the area where the aircraft had gone down.
Authorities have not released a final account of what happened during the flight, and investigators continue to gather evidence. Officials said the plane’s apparent collision with a tree is a key focus of the investigation, but they cautioned that no official cause has been determined. Investigators are expected to examine the aircraft’s maintenance history, weather conditions, pilot information and wreckage patterns. Federal investigators will also review witness statements and any available flight records as they work to reconstruct the aircraft’s final moments.
The crash has shaken the small community of Viola, where the brothers were known among local pilots and residents. The Warren County Sheriff’s Office described the deaths as a heartbreaking loss for the victims’ family, friends and the broader aviation community. Local officials noted that private aviation is common in the area, which includes several small airstrips and recreational pilots. Community members expressed grief as word of the crash spread throughout Warren County and neighboring communities.
The National Transportation Safety Board has taken the lead in the federal investigation, with support from the Federal Aviation Administration. NTSB investigators are expected to document the crash scene, examine the wreckage and prepare a preliminary report in the coming weeks. A final report determining the probable cause could take months to complete. Until that process is finished, many questions about the aircraft’s performance, the extent of the damage after striking the tree and the pilot’s attempted diversion to the airport remain unanswered.
As investigators continued their work Thursday, the crash site remained an active scene and officials asked the public to avoid the area. Local authorities said their immediate focus remains supporting the victims’ family and assisting federal investigators as they work to determine exactly what led to the fatal accident.