Downed Aircraft located in Stone County

-DOWNED AIRCRAFT LOCATED IN STONE COUNTY-
During the evening hours of Tuesday, October 29th, 2024, the Stone County Sheriff's Office was informed that an aircraft had radioed a distress call indicating possible engine failure. Further information was later provided that the aircraft had crashed near the Van Buren / Stone County line in the Old Lexington area close to Highway 110. Van Buren and Stone County Sheriff's Office along with multiple other agencies were able to locate the aircraft after hours of extensively searching the area.
The aircraft has been identified as a 1972 Beechcraft Baron being flown by Robert Phillip Mathis, 68, of Corinth Mississippi. Mr. Mathis perished as a result of the accident. So far, evidence suggests that Mr. Mathis was the only occupant of the aircraft. The Federal Aviation Administration "FAA" along with the National Transportation Safety Board "NTSB" was contacted and will be taking over the investigation. Further details will be released once they become available. Please keep the family of Mr. Mathis in your prayers.
We would like to thank all the agencies that quickly responded and offered assistance in locating the aircraft. Van Buren County Sheriff's Office, Cleburne County Search and Rescue, Van Buren County Search and Rescue, Arkansas State Police, Arkansas Forestry, National Guard, Survival Flight, Choctaw Fire Department, Highway 110 Fire Department, Burnt Bridge Fire Department, Shirley Fire Department, Fairfield Bay Fire Department, Prim Fire Department.
-Sheriff Brandon Long
(870) 269-3825