Forestry officials: Missing plane found; pilot did not survive

Arkansas Forestry Commission pilot Jake Harrell
Arkansas Forestry Commission pilot Jake Harrell

The 12-day search for a missing Arkansas Forestry Commission pilot and his plane ended Tuesday, with the commission confirming that both the plane and the pilot have been located.

The plane was found by a Civil Air Patrol plane in Montgomery County north of Glenwood at 4:05 p.m. Tuesday, and Arkansas State Police confirmed the plane is that of the missing pilot, according to a statement from the commission. After dispatching ground crews to investigate the crash site, the commission confirmed in a tweet that the pilot, 34-year-old Jake Harrell of North Little Rock, did not survive.

"It has been confirmed that missing AFC Pilot, Jake Harrell, did not survive. Details to come. Our hearts are with his wife and son," the commission tweeted.

Harrell disappeared Jan. 31 after last checking in with air dispatchers in Malvern. He was last known to be flying near Oden on a routine route for forest-fire detection.

Harrell had been a pilot for the Arkansas Forestry Commission since 2005, according to the news release.

Read Wednesday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for the full story.

Upcoming Events