LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — An investigation is now underway after a Cirrus SR22 airplane crashed while taking off from the Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport in Little Rock on Sunday afternoon.
Officials have confirmed that the pilot was the only person onboard the four-seater plane when they reported loss of engine power just after its departure. Shortly after, at about 1:30 p.m., the plane crashed near the departure end of the runway and then sparked a fire.
The pilot is reportedly deceased and has now been identified as 62-year-old William Cope.
According to witnesses, a lot of black smoke could be seen in the air after the incident happened.
The information about what exactly caused the crash remains extremely limited at this time but an investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is underway.
The NTSB is set to be in Little Rock on Monday, January 22 to investigate what exactly caused the crash.
Any witnesses or anyone who may have information or even video of what happened is encouraged to send it to Witness@NTSB.gov.
The investigation into this incident remains ongoing and we will update with more information as soon as it becomes available.
