Nashville, Tennessee – A devastating plane crash in Nashville earlier this week resulted in the tragic deaths of Victor Dotsenko, 43, his wife Rimma, 39, and their three young children, David, 12, Adam, 10, and Emma, 7. The Dotsenko family, residents of King Township in Ontario, were aboard their 1978 Piper single-engine plane when it crashed near a highway west of downtown Nashville on Monday evening, causing the aircraft to catch fire.
According to Nashville police, the crash occurred around 7:40 p.m. ET. In the moments leading up to the accident, Victor Dotsenko, who was piloting the plane, informed air traffic controllers that the engine had failed and that he was attempting to make an emergency landing. However, the plane had descended to a dangerously low altitude, making it impossible for Dotsenko to reach the cleared runway at John C. Tune Airport.
The Dotsenkos were a prominent family in their King Township community, and the news of their deaths has sent shockwaves through the area. King Township Mayor Steve Pellegrini expressed his deepest condolences in a heartfelt statement, describing the loss as "heartbreaking and devastating" for the tight-knit community.
Public records indicate that Victor and Rimma Dotsenko were directors of an Ontario company to which the plane had been registered just last July. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has appointed a representative to participate in the U.S.-led investigation of the crash, given the international nature of the tragedy.
The Brampton Flight Centre, associated with the Dotsenkos’ aircraft, noted that the plane had been primarily used for short trips within Ontario since its registration. Monday’s flight from the Milton area to Nashville, with stops in Pennsylvania and Kentucky, was the plane’s longest journey since last summer.
Larry Vance, a former investigator for the Transportation Safety Board of Canada, reviewed the flight history and commented on the challenges posed by the trip, particularly due to the nighttime conditions and the distance involved. Fellow pilot Tony Starcevic, who knew Victor Dotsenko, expressed his sorrow over the incident, stating that such tragedies often lead pilots to reassess their own safety practices.
The Dotsenko children were students at UMCA Rich Tree Academy, which has also expressed its grief. The school released a statement mourning the loss of David, Adam, and Emma, describing them as students who brought positive energy and a vibrant presence to the school community.
As the investigation into the crash continues, the community, friends, and loved ones of the Dotsenko family are left to grapple with the enormity of their loss, remembering a family that was deeply cherished and will be sorely missed.