A Cocke County physician died Sept. 7 in a plane crash shortly after taking off from Space Coast Regional Airport near Orlando, Florida.
Dr. Michael Hood was the sole occupant of the plane, according to the Newport office where he practiced medicine.
"His commitment to his patients was evident in everything he did. During Hurricane Helene, that dedication was perhaps best illustrated when he kayaked to work to ensure he could continue caring for those who depended on him. He always believed in being available for his patients and serving his community whenever and wherever he was needed," his office shared in a statement.
Hood helped establish the Newport physician's office in 1982 and was an emergency physician, according to the Family Practice
Center's website. He was a graduate of the University of Tennessee College of Medicine at Memphis and completed his internship and residency at East Tennessee State University's James H. Quillen College of Medicine.
Hood was the scout master for Boy Scout Troop 497, a member of the Newport Theatre Guild and a member of the Newport Ruritan Club. Hood was also the owner of Goodwater Vineyards, according to the website.
Titusville Fire Department spokesperson Greg Sutton could not confirm the pilot's identity, but said local police have reached out to someone they believe was the pilot's next of kin.
The plane crashed "under unknown circumstances" after experiencing an engine failure, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. The aircraft hit trees and power lines as its pilot attempted to return to the runway.
Responders from the Titusville Fire Department and other local agencies came to the crash and put out a fire along State Road 405, just north of the airport's property, a TFD news release stated.
Witnesses reported seeing the aircraft strike a power line before crashing onto the roadway, the release said. The plane was a Mooney M20.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Cocke County doctor dies in plane crash near Orlando
