LEIPERS FORK, Tenn. — A Baton Rouge-based plastic surgeon, along with two of his children, were the three people killed when a single-engine airplane crashed south of Nashville, officials said.

Flight logs showed the plane left Louisiana Regional Airport at Gonzales at 8:53 a.m. Wednesday for Bowman Field Airport on the east side of Louisville, Kentucky. The pilot reported trouble before crashing in Williamson County — about 20 miles southwest of Nashville — around noon Wednesday.

Flight records showed the single-engine Beechcraft V35 was registered to Lucius Doucet, a plastic surgeon based in Baton Rouge. Doucet's adult children, Giselle and Jean-Luc Doucet, also died in the crash.

The two children were set to graduate from LSU tomorrow, according to a statement from the university.

"We were devastated to hear the news, and our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Doucet family and all those close to them," LSU said in their statement. "This is heartbreaking for the LSU community, but especially for those who know and love these two students, and those who were expecting to share graduation with them."

LSU says they plan to honor both students at their respective commencement ceremonies.

According to his practice's website, Doucet was an avid flight enthusiast. He was also an assistant clinical professor at both LSU and Tulane University’s Plastic Surgery Fellowship Programs.

Doucet's practice, Williamson Cosmetic Center, issued a statement Thursday regarding Doucet's death. The statement praised Doucet's passion for medicine and empathy for his patients.

"The sudden and untimely loss of Dr. Doucet has left a deep void in our hearts and in our practice. We understand that many of you had strong bonds with him over the years, relying on his expertise, guidance and unwavering support," the statement read.

Air Traffic Control audio indicates that the plane started to descend from 9,000 feet. The plane reportedly had options to land 16 miles north. The last communication to the plane was that it saw the plane heading back south.

Williamson County Sheriff's deputies received a call about the crash from a resident at around 12:05 p.m., saying a potential explosion happened and that he had seen debris.

Officials said he wreckage spanned a half-mile, with emergency authorities still searching through the debris. 

Emergency authorities in Tennessee said that the plane broke apart in mid-air. Officials also asked people to avoid the area during the active search.

"We've had some calls of debris in yards and driveways. We don't have structure damage," Sheriff Mark Elrod told Nashville's WTVF.