Woodruff County, AR — A small aircraft crashed in a field near Cyprus Creek Golf Course on Thursday, leaving one person dead and another critically injured, according to local officials.
Crash Happened Between McCrory and Augusta
Woodruff County Sheriff Phil Reynolds confirmed that the crash occurred between the towns of McCrory and Augusta, just north of Highway 64. The aircraft reportedly went down near a rural field adjacent to the golf course.
The passengers onboard were identified as a grandfather and grandson, both with the last name Looper. The grandfather, age 80, was pronounced dead at the scene, while the 30-year-old grandson was rushed to a hospital and is currently undergoing surgery. His condition is not yet known.
“The 911 call came from a farmer and his wife who witnessed the crash,” said Reynolds in a briefing.
Flight Originated from Little Rock
According to officials, the plane took off from the Little Rock airport shortly before the crash. The exact flight path and purpose of the trip have not yet been disclosed.
As reported by KARK News, authorities were alerted quickly after eyewitnesses called emergency responders. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been notified and is expected to assist in the investigation.
Investigation Underway
Officials have not confirmed the type of aircraft or what may have led to the crash. As of Thursday afternoon, the cause remains under investigation.
Emergency teams were seen working at the crash site for several hours. The sheriff’s office has not released any additional identifying information pending notification of other family members.
Key details known so far:
- One fatality: Grandfather, age 80
- One injured: Grandson, age 30, currently in surgery
- Plane departed from: Little Rock airport
Community in Shock
The rural Woodruff County community is reeling from the sudden tragedy. Local residents described the area as typically peaceful, with air traffic being rare in the immediate vicinity.
“This kind of thing doesn’t happen around here,” said one resident near the crash site.
Ongoing Coverage
Authorities have promised to release more details as the investigation develops. The FAA and possibly the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are expected to assess the wreckage and contribute to the final report.
