Bellanca Super Viking
A spokesman for the family said the pilot missing in Lake Chickamauga is Capt. Frank W. Davey.
Richard L. Cox Sr. spoke "on behalf of the family."
He said, "We were notified by the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department on Monday January 7th, 2019 that a plane resembling the one owned by Capt. Davey was seen crashing into the Chickamauga Creek located near Hobo Bluff/ Camp Vesper Point in Soddy Daisy around 1:30 PM EDT, as called in from a 911 call logged at 1:48 PM EDT. The initial responders on site were Sale Creek Volunteer Fire Department, Dallas Bay Volunteer Fire Department and STARS.
"From the debris it was confirmed the plane belonged to Capt. Davey. The family has not made a formal announcement until the search is complete. Frank’s son Stuart and some friends have been searching the area in addition to the local responders. Capt. Davey was an experienced pilot with both military and civilian flight hours spanning his adult lifetime. We suspect the wind shear may have played a part in the plane being blown off course, due to the weather patterns at the time of the accident, but we will have to wait for the formal investigation to confirm.
"Frank had called several of his friends to go flying on Monday so there is a possibility another passenger(s) may have been on board, at this point we cannot confirm. We wish to express our gratitude for your patience as we come to grips with the apparent loss of a beloved husband, father and friend."
Some Davey family members have been at the search site near Camp Vesper Point.
The plane took off from the nearby Dallas Bay Skyport.
Victor Catalanotto listed the name of his 69-year-old friend on Facebook and wrote "Rest in Peace."
He said the plane owned by the Chattanoogan was a Bellanca Super Viking, similar to one he owns.
Debris was found soon after the plane went down, but the main section of the aircraft has still not been located in the 40-foot-deep waters.
Mr. Catalanotto noted that "there was one witness who said the plane did a tight loop and then spiraled in."
A Facebook friend said the incident "gives me pause about my aviation hobby."