A survivor of the ill-fated skydiving plane that plunged to the ground in Tennessee has spoken out about the horrifying moment he saw his life flash before his eyes.
Twenty people were on board the de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter when an ‘unknown issue’ caused the wreck on Sunday afternoon.
The 58-year-old aircraft came down shortly after taking off from the Tullahoma Regional Airport at around 12:30pm.
The dramatic crash left witnesses stunned and survivors scrambling.
‘It literally flipped a tree and crashed, hit a tree, spun and crashed into the side of their property,’ Marge Janiak, who watched the chaos unfold, told Good Morning America.
Footage from the Tullahoma scene, about 60 miles south of Nashville, showed the plane nose-dived into the grass with its backend completely ripped off.
A wing snapped off and the impact sent debris flying around the area, about 1,000 feet from the end of a runway.
Flight trackers reveal the aircraft circled the airport multiple times before disaster struck.
Twenty people were on board the de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter when an ‘unknown issue’ caused the pilot to lose control of the plane on Sunday afternoon
Skydiving instructor Justin Fuller, who was on the doomed flight, broke his silence on Facebook, reflecting on the traumatizing events
Fuller urged his followers to keep those hospitalized in their thoughts and prayers on social media
Miraculously, everyone on the flight survived.
Three victims were airlifted to Nashville-area hospitals, while four others were sent to local medical centers, Quick said at a press conference.
Victims with minor injuries were treated onsite. The crash damaged no airport facilities.
‘We are grateful that the injuries were limited,’ Lyle Russel, the Community Engagement Officer of the city of Tullahoma, said.
Skydiving instructor Justin Fuller, who was on the doomed flight, broke his silence on Facebook, reflecting on the traumatizing events.
‘I just wanted to make a post and reach out to everyone and let y’all know I’m ok. I was on the plane,’ Fuller, an employee of Skydive Tennessee, began his post.
‘I got lucky and came out without a scratch. I will have more information later.’
In a follow-up statement, he urged his followers to keep those hospitalized in their thoughts and prayers.
‘And keep our pilot at the top of the list. He saved everyone on board and has the longest road to recovery out of all of us. Yesterday was a day I won’t soon forget,’ he said.
Skydive Tennessee, the organization that managed the flight – also commended the pilot’s bravery.
The 58-year-old aircraft came down shortly after taking off from the Tullahoma Regional Airport at around 12:30pm
Kerry Joe (pictured) was also on the skydiving plane when it suddenly crashed, according to a Facebook post from his niece
One Alabama woman, Ashley Griffice, claimed her uncle was on the small plane during the crash, sharing an update on his health on Facebook
‘We are incredibly grateful for the quick actions of our pilot, whose response likely prevented a far more serious outcome,’ a spokesperson wrote to WKRN.
‘While the incident has understandably shaken us all, we’re relieved that no one was seriously injured.
‘We’re also deeply appreciative of the first responders who arrived so quickly and acted with professionalism and care. Our focus now is on supporting the investigation and our community.’
One Alabama woman, Ashley Griffice, claimed her uncle was on the small plane during the crash, sharing an update on his health on Facebook.
‘So thankful you’re okay, Unc! Just one more cool survival story to add to your collection. Love you, Kerry Joe,’ Griffice wrote.
In the comment section, she clarified that Joe sustained a broken rib.
DailyMail.com has reached out to Fuller, Griffice, Joe and Skydive Tennessee for comment.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating the crash.
