SMYRNA, Tenn. — Dive teams from several agencies have recovered several components of an airplane that crashed into Percy Priest Lake as well as human remains, Rutherford County EMA officials said on Sunday afternoon.
A small plane, a Cessna C501, crashed near the Fate Sanders Marina on Weakley Lane Saturday afternoon, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
Officials said seven people were on board the plane when it crashed. One person has been confirmed dead and the others are presumed dead.
Remnant Fellowship Church released a statement Sunday afternoon, confirming that all seven members did not survive the crash.
"The seven Remnant Fellowship leaders lost May 29, 2021 were some of the finest and most loving people that you would ever come across. During this horrible tragedy, our church would greatly appreciate prayers.
We want everyone who was affected, especially the children of the passengers, to know that they are very loved and our church will be taking special care of the children’s needs in these coming years.
Gwen Shamblin Lara was one of the world’s most kind, gentle, and selfless mother and wife, and a loyal, caring, supportive best friend to all. She lived every day laying down her own life to ensure that others could find a relationship with God. Because of that, her memory will definitely remain for a long time as she has a place in millions of people’s hearts around the world through her work with Weigh Down Ministries and Remnant Fellowship Church. Her wonderful and supportive husband, Joe Lara, will also be greatly missed.
The other passengers who perished in the crash were Remnant Fellowship leaders who were very involved in the community and loved by many – David and Jennifer Martin, Jonathan and Jessica Walters, and Brandon Hannah.
On behalf of Remnant Fellowship Church, we would like to thank the First Responders and all who have helped our church and these families during this difficult time.
Finally, as far as Remnant Fellowship Church and Weigh Down Ministries are concerned, Michael Shamblin and Elizabeth Shamblin Hannah, Gwen’s two children, and the church leadership intend to continue the dream that Gwen Shamblin Lara had of helping people find a relationship with God."
At this time, the Rutherford County Medical Examiner's Office is working with the immediate family members to help identify the victims, according to officials.
The plane, registered to JL & GL Productions LP in Brentwood, was headed to Palm Beach, Fla. when the crash occurred.
Late Saturday night, Rutherford County EMA released the name of the passengers – William J. Lara, Gwen Shamblin Lara, Jennifer J. Martin, David L. Martin, Jessica Walters, Jonathan Walters and Brandon Hannah, all of Brentwood, Tenn.
All of the victims were part of the leadership team of Remnant Fellowship Church in Brentwood. Gwen Lara was the founder of Remnant Fellowship Church and Weigh Down Ministries.
Gwen Lara's children, Elizabeth Hannah and Michael Shamblin, issued statements asking for prayers for the families involved, thanking authorities for the work in the incident and remembering their mom and her husband, Joe Lara.
Elizabeth remembered her husband, Brandon Hannah, who was in the crash, saying he "was truly one of the most selfless and loving spouses and fathers on the planet."
Authorities say that the plane crashed shortly after taking off from Smyrna Rutherford County Airport around 11:00 a.m.
The National Transportation Safety Board will be leading the investigation.
Rutherford County Fire Rescue and Metro Nashville Office of Emergency Management Dive Teams as well as others on the scene are working to find out the extent of the crash site, examining the debris field and are conducting search and rescue operations.
Boaters on the lake should be advised to stay out of the areas marked with public safety boats. Assistance is not needed from civilian boaters.
This story will be updated when more information is available.