Fatal plane crash in Izard County
A plane flying through Izard County disappeared from radar in the Franklin area on Monday afternoon, Nov. 30.
Izard County authorities and first responders were dispatched to an area between Hwy. 289 and California Drive in Franklin shortly before 3 p.m.
An emergency beacon alerting from the downed aircraft made the search area known and another plane searched for wreckage. Izard County Chief Deputy Charley Melton and officers, first responders and Horseshoe Bend Rescue met across from AJ’s Automotive on Hwy. 289 to begin the ground search.
At 4:15 p.m., ground search personnel found the wreckage in a wooded area behind California Drive. The pilot and passenger were killed in the accident. At this time, names of the deceased have not been released. The pair were flying through the area on the way to Walnut Ridge according to their flight plan.
A witness called 911 after seeing a low flying plane in the area and hearing a loud boom. According to authorities at the scene, several calls were received from local residents hearing a loud boom. State Police are investigating the accident, and the FAA will be on the scene Tuesday to investigate the cause of the accident.