Rimma and Victor Dotsenko with their three children.Photo:UMCA Rich Tree Academy/Instagram
UMCA Rich Tree Academy/Instagram
The five passengers who died when asmall plane crashed onto a Nashville highwayon Monday have been identified.
The children’s school, UMCA Rich Tree Academy — located in Vaughan, Ontario — also shared their heartbreak in a statement posted on their Instagram Story Wednesday.
Calling the Dotsenkos “a beloved family within our school,” the school said that “These beautiful children lit up our hallways every day, They all had such a positive energy and attitude towards their friends and teachers.”
“Rimma and Victor were always very close to the UMCA family and we will miss them tremendously,” the statement added.
The debris of the plane off a Nashville interstate highway.METROPOLITAN NASHVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT HANDOUT/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
METROPOLITAN NASHVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT HANDOUT/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
“Words cannot express the profound sadness and grief we are experiencing as we mourn the loss of the Dotsenko family,” the statement continued. “This heartbreaking tragedy has left us all in shock, and and our thoughts and prayers are with their loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.”
“As a close-knit school community, it is important that we come together to support one another during times of of sorrow,” added the statement. “Our school staff will be able to provide assistance and guidance to any students who may be struggling to cope with this loss.”
The school also shared a photo of the family of five with the caption, “No word can describe the loss the UMCA community feels 🤍🤍🤍.”
The children’s school also shared a statement on their Instagram Story.UMCA Rich Tree Academy/Instagram
The family of five died when their single-engine plane crashed on the eastbound lanes of Nashville’s Interstate 40 on Monday evening, according to apostfrom Metropolitan Nashville Police Department on X (formerly known as Twitter).
According to theAssociated PressandCNN, the pilot had shared that the aircraft had engine failure in an emergency call to John C. Tune Airport in Nashville at around 7:40 p.m. local time.
Per the outlets, police department spokesman Don Aaron said the pilot was given the all-clear to make an emergency landing, however, shortly afterward he reported that he would not be able to reach the airport.
Investigators were seen viewing the plane’s wreckage on Tuesday.AP Photo/George Walker IV
AP Photo/George Walker IV
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Citing radio transmissions recordings of the incident, Canadian media outletCityNewsreported that the pilot told the air traffic controllers that his engine had shut down and he had overflown John C. Tune Airport.
“I’m at 1,600 [feet]. I’m going to be landing. I don’t know where,” Victor said, per the outlet. “I’m too far away, I won’t make it.”
According to the outlet, Victor graduated from the Brampton Flight Centre in 2022 with a private pilot license.
“While we await further details from the ongoing investigation, our thoughts and prayers are with the loved ones of the victims during this incredibly difficult time,” the statement from Mayor Pellegrini continued. “We also extend our gratitude to the first responders and officials involved in the response and investigation.”
source: people.com