Darrel “Dazz” Whittaker dies in fatal Cheatham County plane crash
Darrel “Dazz” Whittaker dies in fatal Cheatham County plane crash
Fatal Cheatham County plane crash death of Darrel “Dazz” Whittaker – Obituary.
Authorities in Cheatham County have confirmed that Darrel “Dazz” Whittaker, a local pilot originally from Australia, was the individual who lost his life in a small plane crash. Whittaker was 51 years old.
Emergency responders were dispatched to the crash site on Chapmansboro Road shortly after 2:15 p.m. on Monday. The Federal Aviation Administration identified the aircraft involved as an Aviat Pitts S-1-11B, tail number N5111B, which ended up upside down in approximately three feet of water in the Cumberland River, as noted by Edwin Hogan, the EMA Director and County Fire Chief.
On Tuesday, Cheatham County EMS Director B.J. Hudspeth confirmed that Whittaker was the pilot of the plane. Registered to Whittaker, the aircraft was manufactured in 1998.
According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Whittaker’s flight took off from Whifferdill Airport in Cheatham County around 1:45 p.m. Whifferdill Airport, a community developed by aerobatic pilot Ray Williams, was designed to include an area specifically for aerobatic practice.
The single-engine, fixed-wing Aviat Pitts S-1-11B is a biplane tailored for aerobatic maneuvers, famously known as the “Super Stinker,” a design by Curtis Pitts intended for aerobatic competition.
Flight tracking data revealed that Whittaker’s plane circled over the Cumberland River, performing what appeared to be circular turns for about 12 minutes before the flight path ceased.
Whittaker operated a Facebook page titled Southern Cross Airshows, showcasing images and videos of his aerial performances, including loop-de-loops and various stunts. Earlier this year, he reflected on 2023, stating that it had been a challenging time for him. He mentioned, “This new year marks just over 1 year cancer free. Lookout 2024 here we come.”
This incident marks the third small plane crash in Middle Tennessee within the year. In March, a family of five tragically perished in a single-engine Piper PA-32RT-300T crash along Interstate 40 in West Nashville. Later, in May, a Beech V35 crash in Williamson County claimed the lives of a Louisiana doctor and his two adult children.
Following recovery from the river, Whittaker’s aircraft is set to be transported to a Springfield facility for examination, as stated by NTSB Senior Air Safety Investigator Adam Gerhardt. He mentioned that efforts to retrieve the plane were complicated due to low water levels, although recent rainfall has improved the situation.
“The water has risen some since the accident, so most of the airplane right now is underwater,” Gerhardt explained. “Immediately after the accident, 80% of the plane was sticking out of the water. More water is good for us because we can have an easier time getting it floated to the surface, to then float it down to a dock and put it on a trailer.”
Gerhardt refrained from speculating on the crash’s cause. “We can’t always get to an exact probable cause given this airplane was not equipped with a black box,” he noted. “However, there could be other recording devices on board that might provide useful data.”
Darrel “Dazz” Whittaker dies in fatal Cheatham County plane crash Fatal Cheatham County plane crash death of Darrel “Dazz” Whittaker – Obituary. Authorities in Cheatham County have confirmed that Darrel “Dazz” Whittaker, a local pilot originally from Australia, was the individual who lost his life in a small plane crash. Whittaker was 51 years old.…
Darrel “Dazz” Whittaker dies in fatal Cheatham County plane crash Fatal Cheatham County plane crash death of Darrel “Dazz” Whittaker – Obituary. Authorities in Cheatham County have confirmed that Darrel “Dazz” Whittaker, a local pilot originally from Australia, was the individual who lost his life in a small plane crash. Whittaker was 51 years old.…