3 dead after small plane crashes in Tennessee

Three people lost their lives in a tragic plane crash in Tennessee on Wednesday, according to authorities.

The incident was initially reported as a possible plane crash following an explosion around noon in Williamson County, as relayed by a 911 caller. The National Transportation Safety Board confirmed that a Beech V35 aircraft had crashed near Franklin.

During a press briefing on Wednesday evening, Chief Deputy Mark Elrod from the Williamson County Sheriff's Office stated that the cause of the crash remains unclear, but evidence suggests that the plane broke up mid-air. Unfortunately, there were no survivors.

Elrod described the scene as "tragic," noting that the debris field spans a significant area, estimated to be about half a mile long. Although there was no structural damage, debris has been found scattered across properties, including yards and driveways. As a precaution, a portion of a nearby roadway will be closed to traffic on Thursday as authorities continue their search for debris.

The ill-fated flight originated from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and was bound for Louisville, Kentucky, before the crash occurred.

The National Transportation Safety Board is anticipated to commence their investigation on Thursday, with their team scheduled to arrive on Wednesday evening.