Polk County, Tenn. — A plane crash in the Cherokee National Forest claimed the lives of three individuals on Friday, April 11, 2025. The victims were reportedly the father and grandparents of Carter Maneth, a men’s golfer for Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU).
The crash occurred around 4:20 p.m. ET when a Mooney M20 aircraft went down near the Polk County community of Reliance, approximately 90 miles north of Chattanooga. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that there were three people on board the plane at the time of the incident.
Authorities from the Hamilton County Office of Emergency Management quickly launched a search operation after radar tracking indicated the plane’s last known location. Emergency crews combed the rugged terrain of the Cherokee National Forest before locating the wreckage, where they discovered the victims’ bodies.
The Cleveland Fire Department, working in collaboration with the Tri-State Mutual Aid Association and other local responders, assisted with the recovery efforts in the challenging landscape.
The next day, MTSU officials confirmed that the deceased individuals were related to Carter Maneth, who had been competing in the Tar Heel Intercollegiate golf tournament. The trio was traveling to North Carolina to support Maneth when the tragic accident occurred.
“Our hearts are with Carter and his loved ones during this unimaginable time,” said a statement from Middle Tennessee Athletics. “We are keeping him and his family in our thoughts and prayers, and we ask the Blue Raider community to do the same.”
The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are conducting a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the crash, though no additional details have been released as of yet. The tragic event has sent shockwaves through the MTSU community, which continues to offer support to Maneth during this difficult time.
As the investigation unfolds, the focus remains on the grieving family and the support they are receiving from their community.
