Canadian family from Ontario's King Township identified as victims in Nashville plane crash

PTC Web Desk: In a tragic incident, the victims of a fatal plane crash in Nashville, Tennessee, have been identified as a Canadian family from a township north of Toronto. The five victims, Rimma Dotsenko, her husband Victor, and their three children – David, Adam, and Emma – lost their lives in the devastating accident. The Mayor of King Township, Steve Pellegrini, expressed the community's profound grief, describing the loss as heartbreaking.

Mayor Pellegrini conveyed his condolences to the Dotsenko family on behalf of the tight-knit King Township community. He acknowledged the devastating impact of the tragedy and extended thoughts and prayers to the loved ones of the victims during this incredibly difficult time. The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department confirmed the ages of the victims, with Victor being 43, Rimma 39, and their children aged 12, 10, and 7, respectively.

The UMCA Rich Tree Academy, a private school in Vaughan, shared on social media that the Dotsenko family had been part of the school community for many years. The school expressed deep sorrow, highlighting the positive energy and attitude the three children brought to the hallways every day. The loss is described as a profound tragedy that has left the school in shock, emphasizing the need for support and guidance for grieving students. Staff at the academy pledged to assist students struggling with the loss and called for collective remembrance and support.

The single-engine plane involved in the crash, which occurred alongside Interstate 40 west of downtown Nashville on Monday evening, claimed the lives of the pilot and the four passengers on board. The aircraft was based at the Brampton Flight Centre, owned by the Brampton Flying Club. The cause of the crash remains unknown, though radio transmissions revealed that the pilot had reported an engine shutdown and attempted to land after circling the John C. Tune airport.

Air traffic controllers provided instructions for a glide landing, but unfortunately, the descent was too rapid, leading to the tragic outcome. Allan Paige, the general manager of the Brampton Flight Centre, noted that the airport's uncontrolled nature made it challenging to ascertain the plane's takeoff details without flight records.

Global Affairs Canada issued a statement expressing awareness of the reports of the Canadian family's deaths and confirmed ongoing contact with local authorities, providing consular assistance to the grieving family. The statement conveyed the deepest condolences and thoughts to the family and friends of the victims.

As the investigation into the crash continues, the close-knit community of King Township and the school community at UMCA Rich Tree Academy grapple with the immense loss, emphasizing the need for support, kindness, and collective remembrance during this challenging time. The tragic incident serves as a somber reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of coming together in the face of adversity.

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