Two Die In Plane Crash In Cullman County

CULLMAN COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT) – Two people died in a plane crash Monday in Cullman County.  The small aircraft went down just after 2 p.m.

The Cullman County Sheriff’s Office said the crash happened near Smith Lake, near the Ardell community.  The crash site is along County Road 174, near the Walker County line.

Neighbors called 911 after they heard a large explosion, according to the sheriff. When rescue crews arrived on the scene the plane was on fire and they found two victims inside the plane.

Family and friends identify the two as Dr. Gary Cohen and his wife, Nancy.  Dr. Cohen was a dentist in Hendersonville, Tennessee.

WHNT News 19 confirmed the pilot made some sort of emergency call to air traffic controls moments before the crash, and reportedly referenced the weather during that radio emergency call.

The FAA and NTSB are investigating the crash.