Ed Baldwin/Claiborne Progress

Several calls to the 911 center at approximately 8:49 a.m. on Monday reported a small airplane in trouble. During those calls one report said that the plane had crashed in a wooded area near Johnson Lane in the Goin Community.

A single engine airplane with one occupant was destroyed in the crash. The pilot, who had not been identified at press time, did not survive the crash. Witnesses say the plane appeared to circle the area, entered a cloud, and came out going straight down with the engine racing. One other witness said it sounded like the engine was sputtering before entering the cloud.

Claiborne County Deputy Bill Davidson said that he could not smell fuel in the immediate area of the wreckage. David Breeding, of the Emergency Management Agency said the plane broke into 8-10 large pieces.

The Claiborne County Rescue Squad and South Claiborne VFD responded to the scene as well as CCSD, EMA, and EMS. Federal Aviation Administration investigators arrived on Monday afternoon to investigate the accident. Results will be available only after the investigation is complete. Not much could be seen of the wreckage; pictured is the tip of one of the plane's wings.