John David Duggar, of TLC's 19 Kids & Counting fame, and his wife Abbie are ready to speak out about the "scary" plane crash that they experienced in October 2021. The parents of daughter Grace, born in January 2020, are no strangers to flying, with John David holding a flight instructor certification and commercial license, and Abbie a student pilot license, according to Federal Aviation Administration records. But these flight enthusiasts were forced to endure quite the terrifying incident last fall, on which they've finally broken their silence.
For John David and Abbie, aviation is a major part of their lives and relationship. In July 2018, after a record 29-day courtship, John David, the third eldest child of Jim Bob and Michelle and twin of Jana, proposed to Abbie in a hangar with two planes serving as the backdrop. The theme continued on their wedding day, which saw them take a number of sweet newlywed photos on an airport tarmac. When the pair announced in August 2019 that they were expecting Grace, they naturally did so inside an aircraft as they held up a baby onesie that read, "Baby passenger on board."
However, John David and Abbie's love of flying almost cost them their lives on Oct. 29 in Waverly, Tennessee. John David was piloting a Piper PA-30, acquired by the 32-year-old in July 2020 to use for Medic Corps, a nonprofit that sends first responders via aircraft to disaster-stricken areas, for which he serves as the director of business. At around 7 p.m., due to what he said was "double engine failure," John David was forced to make an emergency landing in a field. While there were no injuries, the aircraft sustained "substantial" damage, according to a report from the National Transportation Safety Board. In their first statement since the accident, John David and Abbie told Celebuzz they're "so thankful for God's protection, as we all walked away without injuries when this happened in October."
They added that, "An emergency landing or any kind of plane crash is a scary thing, but it's exactly what pilots are trained for." It seems John David's quick thinking and piloting skills prevented what could've been a devastating occurrence. John David and Abbie also expressed their appreciation for the "love and care" sent their way. In a post on their joint johnandabbie Instagram to direct followers to their exclusive statement, many fans commented their relief that John David and Abbie came out unscathed. Still, a number were in agreement that they shouldn't have felt pressure to release a statement. One commenter said, "Glad you're all safe but it's no one's business. Keep living your life your way."
Given their sweet demeanor and likability, it's not surprising that viewers of 19 Kids & Counting and its spinoff Counting On were concerned about the couple's wellbeing. For the Duggar clan, 2021 was a rough year. John David and Abbie's plane crash was able to largely stay out of the public spotlight, but the same can't be said for eldest brother Josh Duggar, who in December was found guilty of possessing child pornography. Though his actions could've given the rest of the family a bad reputation, it's clear that the Duggar fandom is still supportive of those members who remain faith- and family-oriented.
Source: Celebuzz, JohnAndAbbie/Instagram