At approximately 7:52 a.m. central time today, Cumberland County first responders were alerted to a possible single engine plane crash. Multiple agencies responded to assist in the search including the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, Cumberland County Fire Department, Crossville Fire Department, Cumberland County Rescue Squad , Crossville/Cumberland County Emergency Management Agency, Tennessee Highway Patrol Special Ops, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, UT Lifestar, Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, Cumberland County EMS, Roane County EMA, Tennessee Wildlife Agency and the Roane County Sheriff’s Office

It was determined that no known flight plan was filed and the reason of the crash is unknown at this time. Deputies secured the crash site until FAA investigators arrived to conduct an investigation into the cause of the crash.

The plane was piloted by 35-year-old Vasile Ghelan of Knoxville. The single engine plane #N26889 was based out of Knoxville Downtown Island Home Airport and was a private plane with a flight school. Ghelan was found deceased at the crash site near Hinch Mountain.