A plane crash at a major international airport went unnoticed for several hours on Tuesday.
CNN reports authorities are struggling to explain how the small aircraft crashed and erupted in fire on the Nashville airport’s grounds – but nobody noticed.
The sole occupant of the single-engined Cessna was killed.
The exact time of the accident is unknown. It is believed to have been “early Tuesday” – at some point between 3am and dawn.
It was only spotted when another aircraft in the process of taxiing for take-off spotted a piece of engine cowling on the edge of the runway.
Airport controllers sent personnel to the area after the pilot reported the debris.
It was only then the fire-blackened wreckage was found.
The FAA says the airport’s control tower was supposed to be manned 24-hours a day, but could not say how many staff were on duty.
Investigators are seeking to determine if the pilot had been in contact with air traffic controllers or if a distress signal had been sent.
The aircraft was registered to the Windsor Flying Club of Ontario, Canada. The pilot’s name has not been released.
This story originally appeared on News.com.au.