BENTONVILLE, AR —A plane crashed into a hangar at the Bentonville Municipal Airport killing the pilot Wednesday morning, according to Gene Page with the Bentonville Police Department.
Witnesses said the plane was preparing to take off when it hit the hangar, according to Paige.
A preliminary investigation by Bentonville Police identified the pilot was identified as Rex L. Grimsley, 70, of Bentonville, according to Chief Jon Simpson.
The aircraft was a 1983 Beechcraft Bonanza, according to police. It could carry 6 passengers, and was a single-engine, fixed-range aircraft.
Witness Brandon Nolker was in the hangar next to the one that was hit. He told 40/29 News "it sounded like a bomb went off."
"It's just tragic, it's a sad event," Nolker said.
No other aircraft or persons on the ground were injured, Page said. The airport will remain closed for the immediate future.
The FAA is on the way to the airport to take over the investigation.
The Bentonville Municipal Airport is northeast of the larger Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport.
The Bentonville Municipal Airport houses 41 single engine and two multiple engine aircraft, according to the airport's website. The airport is 140 acres large.
There are a total of 8 hangars, at the airport, including two owned by the City of Bentonville.
Date:
31-AUG-2016
Time:
Type: Beechcraft Bonanza
Owner/operator: Private
Registration:
C/n / msn:
Fatalities: Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 1
Other fatalities: 0
Airplane damage: Written off (damaged beyond repair)
Location: Bentonville Municipal Airport -
United States of America Phase: Unknown
Nature: Private
Departure airport:
Destination airport:
Narrative:
There are reports about a plane crash at Bentonville Municipal Airport.
The plane crashed into a hangar at the airport. The pilot died in the crash.
Sources:
http://www.4029tv.com/news/plane-crash-at-bentonville-airport/41451030
http://www.nwaonline.com/news/2016/aug/31/plane-crashed-bentonville-airport/?=