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Fiery plane crash kills two
Dr. Larry Opoliner, of Cherokee County, was listed in "critical" condition Tuesday morning at the Erlanger Medical Center Burn Unit in Chattanooga, TN. Killed in the crash were Dr. Damien O'Neill, who was in the pilot's position and Physician's Assistant Allen Martin, who was in the back seat, according to Andrews/Murphy Airport Director Dan Ellis. Opoliner was in the co-pilot's seat, Ellis said. A neighbor living near the airport called 911 at 12:33 a.m. Monday. The call was dispatched at 12:34 and units were on the scene within two minutes, said Cherokee County Deputy Sheriff M. A. Boudrot. The single engine Piper Lance was apparently trying to land at the airport but clipped power lines and skidded across Airport Road about 400 to 500 feet north of the western end of the airport runway. The wrecked plane ended up just off Airport Road next to a driveway. David Esposito, of the Andrews Rescue Squad, was one of the first on the scene. He said the wreckage was on fire and the survivor, Opoliner, was about five to 10 feet away from the plane and was talking to rescuers. Fire department personnel extinguished the fire and Opoliner was airlifted to Erlanger.
The plane had been traveling from Orlando Executive Airport in Florida, where Opoliner was reportedly visiting his children. Lights are on all night at the airport, Ellis said. No one was at the airport at the time of the crash as the airport closes at 7 p.m. However, the intensity of the lights can be controlled by pilots, who can make the lights brighter or dimmer, Ellis said. Another pair of lights flash colors that tell pilots if they are approaching the airport at a safe altitude. The last crash in the vicinity of the airport was about five years ago when a plane crashed on Joanna Bald, Ellis said. Opoliner was being treated for multiple injuries and burns over about 25 percent of his body, according to officials. Murphy Medical Center CEO Mike Stevenson said, "I am grateful Dr. Opoliner survived this crash and wish him a speedy recovery. My heart goes out to the other victims and their families." Stevenson said efforts are currently underway to make arrangements for Dr. Opoliner's patients' care.
The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the accident and it may be months before the investigation into what may have caused the crash is completed.
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