Search crews are searching for a downed plane that crashed during a severe thunderstorm in Ohio County
- Last night around 11 p.m., Daviess County received a report of a possible crash
Search crews are searching for a downed plane that crashed during a severe thunderstorm in Ohio County, Kentucky.
At approximately 11 p.m. last night, the Owensboro Daviess County Central Dispatch Center received a report from the nearby Evansville Air Traffic Control Tower of a possible plane crash in the Ohio Country.
There were two people on board the plane, according to Ohio County Sheriff Adam Wright, who posted a statement on Facebook.
The two pilots – an instructor and a student – were en route from Bowling Green, KY, to Owensboro, KY when the tower lost contact.
When their plane reportedly crashed, a violent thunderstorm swept through the area.
The Daviess County and Ohio County Sheriff’s Offices launched a joint search operation and set up a command post (file image)
The Daviess County and Ohio County sheriff’s offices launched a joint search operation and set up a command post.
The units initially searched using the aircraft’s flight path, the pilot’s cell phone pings and app data, but then launched three drones and another aircraft once the storm subsided.
The search focused on New Panther Creek Church in Ohio County off Highway 764 after records related to the plane were reportedly found nearby.
Units are now urgently searching the wooded area behind the church on foot to find the pilots alive, while paramedics are on standby to assist potential victims.
Local news anchor Tanner Holbrook wrote on
“According to the sheriff, they were able to determine that it crashed in Ohio County on Highway 764.”
“The plane was flying from Bowling Green to Owensboro. The sheriff said there was a severe thunderstorm when the plane went down.
“At this time, crews are hopeful of finding survivors.”