A spokesman for the family of the missing Soddy-Daisy pilot Frank Davey issued a statement Wednesday afternoon as the search for the crashed plane and its occupants continues.
The family was notified on Monday that a plane resembling one owned by Davey, 68, was seen crashing into Chickamauga Lake near Hobo Bluff and Camp Vesper Point in Soddy-Daisy that afternoon, the statement read. Debris later confirmed the plane did belong to Davey.
Davey's son Stuart Davey and some friends have been searching the area along with local law enforcement.
"Capt. Davey was an experienced pilot with both military and civilian flight hours spanning his adult lifetime," Richard L Cox, Sr., Davey's childhood best friend, said in the statement.
"We suspect the wind shear may have played a part in the plane being blown off course, due to the weather patterns at the time of the accident, but we will have to wait for the formal investigation to confirm," he said.
Davey reportedly called several of his friends to go flying on Monday, so it's possible one or more passengers may have been on board, Cox said, but at this point it cannot be confirmed.
"We wish to express our gratitude for your patience as we come to grips with the apparent loss of a beloved husband, father and friend," Cox said.
Family Statement
On behalf of the family of Capt. Frank W Davey, USMC (ret) We were notified by the Hamilton County Sheriff's Department on Monday January 7th, 2019 that a plane resembling the one owned by Capt. Davey was seen crashing into the Chickamauga Creek located near Hobo Bluff/ Camp Vesper Point in Soddy Daisy around 1:30 PM EDT, as called in from a 911 call logged at 1:48 PM EDT. The initial responders on site were Sale Creek Volunteer Fire Department, Dallas Bay Volunteer Fire Department and STARS. From the debris it was confirmed the plane belonged to Capt. Davey. The family has not made a formal announcement until the search is complete. Frank's son Stuart and some friends have been searching the area in addition to the local responders. Capt. Davey was an experienced pilot with both military and civilian flight hours spanning his adult lifetime. We suspect the wind shear may have played a part in the plane being blown off course, due to the weather patterns at the time of the accident, but we will have to wait for the formal investigation to confirm. Frank had called several of his friends to go flying on Monday so there is a possibility another passenger(s) may have been on board, at this point we cannot confirm. We wish to express our gratitude for your patience as we come to grips with the apparent loss of a beloved husband, father and friend.