Father and daughter killed in single-engine plane crash during morning flight

10 December 2023 , 05:46

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The Giles County Office of Emergency Management confirmed the identities of the victims as James Blalock, 78, and his daughter, Jenny Blalock, 45 (Image: 865flygirl)

A father and his daughter tragically lost their lives in a single-engine plane crash during a morning flight together. James Blalock, 78, and his daughter Jenny Blalock, 45, were the only ones onboard when the small Beechcraft 35 aircraft crashed in Giles County, Tennessee.

The Giles County Office of Emergency Management confirmed the identities of the victims as James Blalock, 78, and his daughter, Jenny Blalock, 45. The aircraft had taken off from Downtown Island Home Airport in Knoxville and was headed for Pulaski airport when it crashed.

In a touching Father's Day post on Instagram, Jenny referred to her dad as her "favourite co-pilot". She wrote: "Happy Father's Day to my dad and all the other fathers out there today! It's a blessing to work with you every day for the past 25 years. And now my favourite co-pilot! I love you."

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Jenny shared regular photos of her and her father flying together (865flygirl)

Jenny sat in her single-engine Beechcraft 35 (865flygirl)

In another heartfelt post, Jenny shared a photo of her and her dad smiling, writing: "What a beautiful day to fly with my dad before and after the rain. So blessed to see parts of East TN from 3,000."

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Jenny Blalock, who ran a YouTube account called 'TNFlygirl' and an Instagram named '865flygirl', gave her followers a glimpse into her flying adventures. Her Instagram bio revealed that she was the owner of Plantation Reclaimed Inc and Luxe Homes and Design, and described herself as a "private pilot, flying for fun in a Beechcraft debonair."

Just days before the tragic flight, Jenny posted a picture of her plane on Instagram, writing: "She is washed and ready to fly for a panel make over in a few days." A friend shared the heartbreaking news of her passing on Saturday, writing: "With heartbreak, I would like to tell Jenny's fans and sub's that she has passed. She died Thursday in Tennessee. Jenny Blalock, an incredible friend and business genius. R.I.P".

UK Papers out/Mags Ok Picture dated December 25th shows the Prince and Princess of Wales with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis at the Christmas Day morning church service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk. Pictured: Princess Charlotte,Prince Louis,Prince George,Prince William,Princess Catherine Ref: SPL5511658 261222 NON-EXCLUSIVE Picture by: Lesley Yearley/Geoff Robinson Photography / SplashNews.com Splash News and Pictures USA: +1 310-525-5808 London: +44 (0)20 8126 1009 Berlin: +49 175 3764 166 [email protected] World Rights, (865flygirl)

Jenny Blalock, who ran a YouTube account called 'TNFlygirl' and an Instagram named '865flygirl', gave her followers a glimpse into her flying adventures (865flygirl)

A few weeks earlier, Jenny had celebrated reaching 400 hours of flying, saying: "Finally after so much hard work I have hit over 400 hours! Small to some but a great accomplishment for me! Looking forward finishing my instrument training soon so I broaden my aviation horizon!"

The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are currently investigating the incident.

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Abigail O'Leary