Plane involved in bizarre incident
photo by Brent McDonald (See video on NewsChannel 9)
The body of a pilot in training who fell from a plane on Friday has been found, authorities confirmed on Saturday.
It was reported the body was found off of Lead Mine Valley Road in Bradley County.
A search had been underway Friday night for a pilot in training who, according to a flight instructor, tumbled out of a small plane after taking off from the Collegedale Airport.
The flight instructor said the pilot was having trouble controlling the Zodiac 601 craft, then it nosedived and the canopy came off at about 2,500 feet. The pilot, whose seat belt was not secured, then tumbled out of the plane.
The flight instructor was able to land the experimental aircraft safely at the Collegedale Airport.
Collegedale Police were investigating the incident.
A number of emergency crews were on the scene.
Bradley County Fire and Rescue personnel were doing searches in Southeast Bradley County. A command post was set up at the National Guard Armory on Dalton Pike.
The search was centered along Dalton Pike. "Bradley County Fire and Rescue has high confidence that we are searching in the right area," Chief Troy Spence said.
Hangar where plane was being examined
photo by Brent McDonald (See video on NewsChannel 9)