48-Year Old Jon Vanatta Dies In Airplane Crash

Jan 03, 2020 at 02:30 pm by bryan


A well known Middle Tennessee resident died in a plane crash Tuesday (12/31/2019) in Kansas. Former Shelbyville resident Jon Vanatt died in an airplane crash near Kansas City.

Kansas Highway Patrol report that as the single-engine Mooney M20S airplane began to take-off from Johnson County Executive Airport, the situation suddenly changed and the aircraft started to fall straight down. The wreckage burst into flames in a nearby field and both occupants died.

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In addition to the 48-year old former mid-state resident, 43-year old Darcy Mattews of Texas also died.

Vanatta was the son of Shelbyville's Jack and Linda Vannatta and was a special agent for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

His undergrad degree was from the U.S. Military Academy, and his master's was in public administration from the University of Arkansas. He also completed the U.S. Army War College, graduating with a master's degree in strategic studies.

Vannatta was a colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve and was commander of the 354th Civil Affairs Brigade.

The Mooney aircraft was co-owned by the victim and Marvin J. Vannatta of Old Hickory. The two purchased the plane December 20, 2019, from SCI Enterprises LLC of Quinter, Kansas.

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