On May 15, 2024, a small aircraft crash occurred in Franklin, Tennessee, resulting in the deaths of all three passengers from the same family. Williamson County Fire/Rescue confirmed that the incident took place shortly after noon close to Bending Chestnut Road and Davis Hollow Road.
The aircraft, identified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as a single-engine Beechcraft V35, had taken off from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, with Louisville, Kentucky as its destination. The plane reportedly broke up while in flight, scattering debris over an area spanning a mile. Both the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are conducting an investigation into the accident.
Chief Deputy Mark Elrod from the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the unfortunate event in a press briefing. He said, “It was quickly evident that this would be a search-and-recovery operation, not a search-and-rescue operation.” Elrod also noted that the debris field extended for over a mile, but added, “Given its size, we can’t determine exactly where the crash began or ended.” Elrod mentioned that residents reported finding debris on their properties, even though no buildings were damaged. “
A 911 call from a local resident who reported hearing a loud explosion and seeing debris led first responders to the crash site. Jill Burgin, a representative for the Williamson County Emergency Management Agency, recounted the call, saying, “He mentioned a potential plane crash but lacked further specifics.” Emergency personnel found no survivors when they arrived at the scene.
The victims of the crash were identified as pilot Dr. Lucius “Tre” Doucet, a plastic surgeon from Baton Rouge, and his two adult children, Giselle and Jean Luc. Giselle was studying veterinary medicine at LSU School of Veterinary Medicine, while Jean Luc was an engineering student at LSU. Both were due to graduate that weekend. A family member informed local media that flying was Dr. Doucet’s favorite pastime. He is survived by one other child.
The NTSB will scrutinize the aircraft’s maintenance records, the pilot’s flight logs, and any potential weather conditions as part of the investigation. The Beechcraft V35 that crashed was manufactured in 1966 and had been registered to Dr. Doucet since January of the same year.
Todd Horton, the director of the Williamson County Emergency Management Agency, extended his sympathies to the victims’ family members in a statement. “Our hearts go out to the family members of the victims,” said Horton. “Additional comments will be provided by or in coordination with NTSB officials as necessary.”
The crash site is near Leiper’s Fork, Tennessee, approximately 30 miles south of Nashville. Authorities have requested that the public keep clear of the area to allow investigators to carry out their work.
