Cocke County Doctor Killed in Single-Engine Plane Crash in Titusville

A longtime Tennessee physician was killed Monday after a single-engine aircraft crashed onto a roadway and caught fire in Titusville, Florida.

Dr. Michael Hood, a founding physician of Family Practice Center in Newport, Tennessee, was identified as the sole occupant of the aircraft. The crash occurred at approximately 10 a.m. near State Road 405 in Brevard County.

According to emergency responders, witnesses reported seeing the aircraft strike a power line before crashing onto the roadway. Titusville firefighters extinguished the resulting fire, but Hood was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating what caused the fatal crash.

What Happened in the Titusville Plane Crash?

Emergency agencies responded to the aircraft crash near State Road 405 Monday morning.

According to a statement from responding agencies, witnesses reported that the single-engine aircraft struck a power line before coming down on the roadway.

The aircraft caught fire following the crash. Titusville firefighters extinguished the flames with assistance from Space Coast Regional Airport Aircraft Rescue.

Hood was the only person aboard the aircraft and was pronounced dead.

The available reports do not indicate that anyone on the ground was injured.

Federal Investigators Working to Determine What Caused the Crash

The FAA and NTSB joined local and state agencies following the crash.

Authorities have not yet said what caused the aircraft to descend toward the roadway or why it struck the power line.

Although witnesses reported seeing the plane contact a power line, that does not necessarily mean the power line caused the crash. Investigators will need to determine what happened to the aircraft before that impact and whether the contact with the line was part of an already developing emergency.

Potential areas of investigation could include the aircraft’s engine and mechanical systems, flight controls, maintenance history, weather conditions, pilot actions and the aircraft’s flight path.

No official cause has been announced.

Investigators May Reconstruct the Aircraft’s Final Moments

Determining the sequence of events immediately before the crash will likely be an important part of the federal investigation.

Investigators may seek radar or flight-tracking information to reconstruct the aircraft’s altitude, speed and direction before it went down.

Witness statements may also help establish whether the aircraft appeared to be flying normally before approaching the power line or whether there were signs of an emergency.

Depending on the aircraft and equipment installed, investigators may also examine onboard electronics, GPS devices or other recoverable data.

Because this was a single-engine aircraft rather than a large commercial airliner, investigators should not assume that the same types of flight recorders found on commercial passenger aircraft were installed.

Aircraft Removed From Titusville Crash Site

Emergency officials said a specialized company from Jacksonville was brought in to remove the aircraft from the crash site.

Preserving the wreckage can be critical in an aviation investigation.

Investigators may examine the engine, propeller, fuel system, flight controls and other components for evidence of a mechanical malfunction or damage that occurred before impact.

The location and condition of wreckage can also help distinguish damage caused during the crash and subsequent fire from a failure that may have occurred while the aircraft was still airborne.

Evidence Could Help Determine Why the Plane Went Down

A fatal general aviation crash investigation can involve evidence from numerous sources, including:

• Aircraft wreckage and engine components
• Maintenance and inspection records
• Radar and flight-tracking information
• Air traffic control communications, if applicable
• Witness statements and videos
• Surveillance footage from nearby properties
• Weather and visibility information
• Pilot qualification and flight records
• Available GPS or onboard electronic data
• Crash-scene photographs and measurements
• Medical examiner findings
• Physical evidence involving the power line and point of impact

Investigators may use this evidence to establish a timeline and determine whether mechanical, environmental, operational or other factors contributed to the accident.

When Can a Fatal Plane Crash Lead to a Wrongful Death Claim?

Not every aviation accident is caused by negligence, and a crash alone does not establish that another person or company is legally responsible.

If an investigation uncovers evidence of a defective aircraft component, negligent maintenance or another actionable failure that contributed to a crash, the victim’s estate and eligible survivors may potentially have legal claims against the responsible party.

For example, maintenance records could become significant if investigators discover that a mechanical problem caused the aircraft to lose power. A product liability claim could potentially arise if evidence establishes that a defective aircraft or component contributed to the accident.

There is currently no evidence establishing that defective equipment, improper maintenance or another party’s negligence caused this crash.

Florida Wrongful Death Law May Apply Depending on the Investigation

Because the fatal crash occurred in Florida, the state’s wrongful death laws may potentially become relevant if evidence ultimately establishes that another person or entity was legally responsible for Hood’s death.

Florida’s Wrongful Death Act is found at Fla. Stat. §§ 768.16 through 768.26.

Generally, a wrongful death action is brought by the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate for the benefit of eligible survivors and the estate.

Aviation cases can involve additional jurisdictional and choice-of-law questions, particularly when the deceased person lived in another state or when companies involved in the aircraft’s ownership, maintenance or manufacture are located elsewhere.

The existence and scope of any potential claim therefore cannot be determined until investigators know significantly more about what caused the crash.

Dr. Michael Hood Remembered for Decades of Service

Hood’s death is being mourned in Cocke County, Tennessee, where he practiced medicine for decades.

According to Family Practice Center, Hood helped establish the Newport practice in 1982.

He graduated from the University of Tennessee in Memphis before completing his internship and residency at East Tennessee State University. He later became certified in family practice and was a fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians.

His community involvement extended beyond medicine. His practice said Hood served as scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 497 and as a team leader for a search-and-rescue team. He was also involved with the Newport Theatre Guild and owned Goodwater Vineyard.

Investigation Into Titusville Plane Crash Continues

Federal authorities continue to investigate the fatal plane crash near State Road 405 in Titusville.

Witnesses reported that the single-engine aircraft struck a power line before crashing onto the roadway and catching fire. Dr. Michael Hood, the aircraft’s sole occupant, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The FAA and NTSB are participating in the investigation, along with several state and local agencies. Authorities had not announced what caused the aircraft to go down.

We extend our condolences to Dr. Hood’s family, friends, patients and the Cocke County community following this tragic crash.