A daring escape unfolded on Center Hill Lake as pilot James Luna, of Auburntown, Tennessee, managed to survive a plane crash with only minor injuries. The incident occurred yesterday afternoon when Luna's ICON A5, a single-engine amphibious aircraft, failed to land successfully on the water, as reported by WSMV.
At approximately 3:53 p.m., as described by a local fisherman and confirmed by the Dekalb County Fire Department, the plane crashed near the north end of Holmes Creek. It did not catch fire, no chemicals spilled into the lake, and the pilot managed to swim to the fisherman's boat, who called 911 to render aid, as noted by WKRN. This lightweight aircraft, touted for its ability to touch down on both land and water, faltered during Luna's attempt at an aquatic landing.
In response to the crash, a gamut of local authorities, including the Smithville-DeKalb County Rescue Squad, DeKalb County Sheriff's Department, and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, among others, swiftly made their way to the scene. The plane in question had already been vacated by its sole occupant and was left bobbing on the quiet lake. The DeKalb County Emergency Management Agency has since reported the accident to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), ensuring a thorough investigation into the mishap.
