Investigators release preliminary findings into fatal plane crash in Chapmansboro

The National Transportation Safety Board last week issued a preliminary aviation investigation report into the fatal plane crash on Monday, Sept. 23, in Chapmansboro.

The plane’s pilot and sole occupant was arrested by Cheatham County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Shannon Heflin, identified as Darrel Whittaker, whose remains were sent to the county coroner.

According to the preliminary report, the plane, identified as an Aviat S-1-11B, crashed at about 1:57 p.m. after taking off from Whifferdill Airport in Chapmansboro at about 1:45 p.m. After takeoff, the aircraft flew in a southeasterly direction, remaining approximately one mile south of the airport and performing low-altitude maneuvers between the surface and approximately 1,600 feet above the ground for the duration of the flight.

An unnamed male witness referred to in the report was kayaking and recorded the aircraft performing acrobatic maneuvers at low altitude. The witness said that while maneuvering, the plane’s engine stopped and then revved up again. Towards the end of the video, the aircraft climbed, performed a 4-point aileron roll, and then continued to climb before flying out of the camera’s view.

“In the final seconds of the video, the aircraft resurfaced and was in an orientation consistent with a reverse flat turn, a nose turn to the left, and a rapid vertical descent toward the river. “The engine noise was continuous during the final moments of the video,” the report said.

The plane crashed into the Cumberland River in a section of water about three feet deep and was found upside down and partially submerged.

“In the final seconds of the video, the aircraft resurfaced and was in an orientation consistent with an inverted flat turn, a nose turn to the left, and a rapid vertical descent toward the river,” the report said.

The top of the fuselage and the canopy were crushed. Several camera mounts were found inside the aircraft, but no cameras or other onboard recording devices were found.

According to Federal Aviation Administration records, Whittaker held an airline pilot’s license for multi-engine land aircraft and a commercial pilot’s license for single-engine land aircraft. He was issued a first class medical certificate from the FAA on August 30, 2024. He reported that at the time of this medical examination he had completed a total of 3,968 hours of flight time and had logged 200 hours in the six months following the examination. FAA records showed Whittaker owned the plane and purchased it in June 2022.

The final report, which includes a probable cause investigation, typically takes 12 to 24 months. The NTSB is asking anyone who witnessed the crash or knows more about what may have happened to contact the agency at [email protected] with more information.