UPDATE – We’re learning more about a fiery plane crash over the weekend in the North Carolina foothills of the Smoky Mountains that claimed the life of a Fort Campbell soldier. According to a media update from the Cherokee County, North Carolina Sheriff’s Office, the plane, described as a ‘Homebuilt Velocity aircraft,’ reportedly slammed into a tree and burst into flames shortly after take off Saturday morning from Western Carolina Regional Airport near Andrews, just west of Franklin. The small vessel experienced mechanical issues before plummeting into a large pasture, resulting in the death of 36-year old Chief Warrant Officer Robert “Bobby” Ibrahim who was ejected upon impact and pronounced dead at the scene, the update revealed. The NTSB and FAA are investigating the accident.
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