ANDERSON COUNTY, Tenn. — Update (4/15): A Michigan CEO died Friday after a small plane crashed in Claxton near Powell.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration's initial incident report, the plane's pilot died. The FAA initially said two people were aboard the plane on Friday, however, the FAA crash report only listed one person.
Anderson County Chief Deputy Brian Galloway said Monday only one person was actually inside the plane, but investigators initially believed there were two people aboard Friday because the pilot was seen with someone else at the airport before taking off.
The report said the plane crashed under unknown circumstances near a road in the Claxton area.
WBIR 10News learned the pilot was James Scarlett, CEO of Scarlett Inc. -- a machinery company in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The company said Monday that employees were devastated to learn of his death.
"James was not only a remarkable leader but also a cherished friend and mentor to many within our company and beyond. His absence will be deeply felt throughout the industry," the company said. "Thank you for your understanding and support during this difficult time."
According to FlightAware.com, the plane took off from McGhee Tyson Airport Friday around 4:17 p.m. and was heading to Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
The FAA listed the owner as Thunderbird Air, a limited liability company based in Grand Rapids.
The National Transportation Safety Board said the wreckage was taken to a facility in Atlanta for examination. It said it expects to release a preliminary report on the crash in a month.
Original Story (4/12):
The Anderson County Sheriff's Office said crews responded to reports of a plane crash in the Claxton community Friday afternoon at around 5:12 p.m.
Deputies were responding along with emergency medical crews and firefighters, according to ACSO. A Tennessee Highway Patrol helicopter also responded to the crash, according to ACSO.
A spokesperson for ACSO deputies responded to Tillery Road after receiving calls of plane parts that had reportedly fallen into the yards of homes. According to deputies, parts were also found in the Ashley Lane area along with luggage.
The crash was reported near Gadson Road.
The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed two people were aboard the plane. First responders were unable to confirm the conditions of the two people.
"The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will investigate. The NTSB will be in charge of the investigation and will provide any updates," the administration said in an email.
The agency also confirmed the plane was a single-engine Piper PA-32.
Additional information was not immediately available, such as the circumstances surrounding the plane crash.
This story will be updated when more information is available.