Plane crashes into Percy Priest Lake; Christian diet guru Gwen Shamblin Lara, 6 others on board

SMYRNA, Tenn. — A small airplane crashed in the water on Percy Priest Lake in Smyrna Saturday morning. Seven people were on board. All are presumed dead, authorities said during a 9 p.m. briefing.

Officials, with the permission of the passengers' families, have release the names of the people on board.

William J. Lara, Gwen S. Lara, Jennifer J. Martin, David L. Martin, Jessica Walters, Jonathan Walters, and Brandon Hannah were all on board.

Several law enforcement and emergency agencies responded to the crash around 11 a.m.

Authorities located a debris field near the last sighting of a Cessna C501 registered to JL&GL Productions LP, which is a partnership formed by Brentwood-based Christian diet guru Gwen Shamblin Lara and her husband Joe Lara.

Gwen Shamblin Lara's daughter, Elizabeth Hannah, sent out a text to Remnant families asking for prayers, saying the plane "had to go down for a controlled, quick landing."

The text said that the Laras were on the plane, along with Remnant leaders David and Jennifer Martin, Jonathan and Jessica Walters and Elizabeth Hannah's husband, Brandon.

None of the investigative agencies confirmed the identities of those onboard.

During a 4 p.m. news briefing, authorities said at least one person was confirmed dead, but no other information was available.

"More information to come, but be in prayer -- and be at peace," the message from Elizabeth Hannah said.

"GOD IS IN CONTROL, and we will not stop moving forward with WHAT GOD WANTS with this church."

When NewsChannel 5 stopped by their church on Franklin Road, the Remnant Fellowship, church leader Joe Langsdon refused to comment and insisted that the reporter leave church property.

According to Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP), the airplane is said to have been witnessed going into the water on the lake near the Fate Sanders boat ramp.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) says the Cessna C501 had departed from the Smyrna Rutherford County Airport at 11 a.m.

The Rutherford County Sheriff's Office and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency are on scene investigating. THP road units are assisting in the investigation. THP's aviation unit will also be responding. Federal agencies investigating the crash include the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board.

Efforts to locate the crashed plane continue.