A tragic plane crash occurred in Franklin, Tennessee on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, resulting in the death of all three people aboard. The crash site was near Bending Chestnut Road and Davis Hollow Road, according to a Facebook post from Williamson County Fire/Rescue.
The plane, identified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as a single-engine Beechcraft V35, was en route from Baton Rouge, Louisiana to Louisville, Kentucky when it experienced an in-flight breakup. This caused wreckage to scatter over an area stretching more than a mile. The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have initiated an investigation into the crash.
Chief Deputy Mark Elrod from the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the devastating news in a media briefing. “It was quickly evident that this would be a search-and-recovery operation, not a search-and-rescue operation,” Elrod stated. The location and spread of the debris made it difficult to determine the exact points of impact, he added.
The alarm was raised by a local resident who called 911 after hearing an explosion and spotting debris. Jill Burgin, a representative for the Williamson County Emergency Management Agency, relayed the caller’s report of a suspected plane crash. Upon reaching the scene, emergency personnel found no survivors.
The victims were Baton Rouge plastic surgeon Dr. Lucius “Tre” Doucet who was piloting the plane, and his two adult children, Giselle and Jean Luc. Both of Dr. Doucet’s children were students at Louisiana State University (LSU) and were expected to graduate the following weekend. A family member revealed that flying was one of Dr. Doucet’s favorite pastimes. Dr. Doucet is survived by one other child.
Chief Deputy Mark Elrod commented on the widespread debris, which was reported on local properties but caused no damage to buildings. “The debris field is quite extensive,” Elrod said, adding that it was unclear where the crash exactly started or ended.
The NTSB will scrutinize the maintenance history of the Beechcraft V35, the pilot’s flight records, and any potential weather conditions that may have contributed to the accident. The plane, manufactured in 1966, had been registered to Dr. Doucet since January of this year.
Todd Horton, director of the Williamson County Emergency Management Agency, expressed sympathy for the victims’ families in a public statement. “Our hearts go out to the family members of the victims,” Horton said. He added that further comments would come from NTSB officials or in collaboration with them.
The crash site is near Leiper’s Fork, Tennessee, approximately 30 miles away from Nashville. Local authorities have asked the public to steer clear of the area to facilitate the ongoing investigation.
