Tragedy as three killed in Nashville plane crash as debris is found across half-mile long stretch

Three people have been killed after a plane crashed in Franklin, Tennessee. 

The single-engine Beechcraft V35 went down in Williamson County around midday on Wednesday.

The Williamson County Sheriff's Office launched a desperate search for the aircraft's the occupants but later announced there were no survivors. 

The single-engine Beechcraft V35 went down in Williamson County around midday on Wednesday

The Williamson County Sheriff's Office launched a desperate search for the aircraft's the occupants but later announced there were no survivors

Williamson County Sheriff Mark Elrod said while officials were at first hopeful, it was soon realized it was unlikely those on board would be found alive

Officials said that the plane had departed from Baton Rouge, Louisiana and headed to Bowman Field in Louisville, Kentucky but ended up crashing about 175 miles south . (Stock image)

Williamson County Sheriff Mark Elrod said while officials were at first hopeful, it was soon realized it was unlikely those on board would be found alive. 

'It was quickly evident that this would be a search-and-recovery operation, not a search-and-rescue operation,' Elrod said in a news briefing on Wednesday evening.

Officials said that the plane had departed from Baton Rouge, Louisiana and headed to Bowman Field in Louisville, Kentucky but ended up crashing about 175 miles south. 

As of now, it is believed that the plane broke up while it was in the air. The victims have not yet been identified. 

Elrod said: 'It does appear that the plane did break up in the air.' 

As of now, it is believed that the plane broke up while it was in the air. The victims have not yet been identified.

The debris is about is over half a mile long but no nearby structures are believed to been damaged

The Sheriff's Office has asked residents to avoid the area while crews work the scene

He also added that the debris is about is over half a mile long but no nearby structures are believed to be damaged. 

It is unclear where the crash began and ended, according to the deputy. 

According to The Advocate, the aircraft was a 1966 Beechcraft V35 Bonanza that was owned by Lucius J. Doucet, III, a plastic surgeon in Baton Rouge. 

The Sheriff's Office has asked residents to avoid the area while crews work the scene. 

The incident is being investigated by the FAA, the Sheriff's Office and National Transportation Safety Board. 

This is a developing story