Father, grandparents of MTSU student-athlete killed in Tennessee plane crash

POLK COUNTY, Tenn. (WZTV) — Three people are confirmed dead following a small plane crash Friday in Tennessee.

The crash happened in the Ocoee Ranger District of the Cherokee National Forest near Chattanooga.

Hamilton County Office of Emergency Management said the McGhee Tyson Airport Air Traffic Control Tower contacted Polk County 911 Friday afternoon after a Mooney M20 aircraft disappeared from radar.

Emergency crews from several Tri-State Mutual Aid agencies including the Cleveland Fire Department were dispatched to the Tellico Reliance Road area around 2:23 p.m.

Rescue teams entered the forest near the plane’s last known location and discovered the wreckage at 4:54 p.m. All three individuals on board were found deceased.

The victims have been identified as the father and grandparents of Middle Tennessee State University student-athlete Carter Maneth. Middle Tennessee Athletics released a statement.

We are heartbroken to share that the family of men's golfer Carter Maneth was tragically involved in a plane crash on Friday afternoon in the Cherokee National Forest in Polk County on their way to the Tar Heel intercollegiate. Carter's father and grandparents, who were on board, did not survive. Our hearts are with Carter and his loved ones during this unimaginable time. We are keeping him and his family in our thoughts and prayers, and we ask the Blue Raider community to do the same.

The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the cause of the crash.

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