Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and family survive plane crash in Tennessee

NBC NASCAR analyst and former driver Dale Earnhardt, Jr along with wife Amy and daughter Isla survived a small plane crash in Elizabethon, Tennessee.

Earnhardt, Jr.’s sister Kelly announced via Twitter that everyone aboard the plane was “safe” and was taken to the Johnson City Medical Centre for treatment:

“I can confirm Dale, Amy & Isla along with his two pilots were involved in a crash in Bristol TN this afternoon. Everyone is safe and has been taken to the hospital for further evaluation. We have no further information at this time. Thank you for your understanding.”

Both the FAA and the Sheriff’s office indicated that Earnhardt, Jr.’s Cessna Citation 680 skidded off the Elizabethton Municipal Airport’s 5,010-foot runway at approximately 3:40 pm local time. The aircraft subsequently caught fire before stopping near a road. Photos from the scene show that the rear of the plane was scorched before emergency crews arrived on the scene.

The family was en-route to Bristol Motor Speedway for this weekend’s 500-lap Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series event.

A statement from the FAA read:

“A Cessna Citation rolled off the end of Runway 24 and caught fire after landing at Elizabethton Municipal Airport in Tennessee at 3:40 pm today. Preliminary indication is that two pilots and three passengers were aboard.”

The Sheriff’s office added via Twitter:

“At approximately 3:38 pm Wednesday, first responders were alerted that Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s jet ran off the end of the runway near the Elizabethton Municipal Airport. Initial reports indicate that all passengers made it off the jet alive. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. was transported to the hospital.”

Local television station WCYB News 5 reported that Earnhardt, Jr. left the hospital at 6:45 local time.. NBC Sports followed up with a statement indicating that he will take the weekend off and return to the booth for next weekend's Bojangles Southern 500 at the Darlington Raceway.