According to the local airport manager, a tragic incident occurred in Arkansas on Monday when a small plane, carrying four individuals who were returning from a trip to witness the solar eclipse, crashed.
According to Jim Looney, the longtime airport manager, the group was flown to the Clarksville Municipal Airport in Arkansas aboard the Twin Navion aircraft. The purpose of their visit was to witness the breathtaking totality in the western region of the Razorback State.
After their visit, the group boarded the plane to return home. The aircraft took off from the same airport, but tragically crashed less than 2 minutes later at around 2:15 p.m., as shared by Looney.
Charles Barkley has made some controversial comments regarding people who view solar eclipses. In a recent interview, the former NBA player referred to these individuals as “losers.” This statement has caused quite a stir among eclipse enthusiasts and the general public alike. Barkley’s remarks have ignited a debate about the significance of celestial events and the varying opinions surrounding them. While some may find his comments offensive, others argue that everyone is entitled to their own beliefs and interests. Regardless of where one stands on the matter, Barkley’s words have certainly sparked a conversation about the value we place on scientific phenomena and the diversity of our interests as individuals.
The four individuals managed to survive the incident; however, they sustained injuries and were subsequently airlifted to a hospital for medical treatment.
Looney explained that the crashed plane did not originate from the local area. He mentioned that the individuals on board had flown in specifically to witness the eclipse.
Around 15 planes landed at the Clarksville airport to witness the breathtaking natural airshow, according to Looney’s estimation.
“After it concluded, they all got excited and began to leave,” he said. “The majority of them stayed for an hour or two.”
Patrick Mahomes was seen running to protect his daughter, Sterling, during a solar eclipse.
With its prime location for eclipse viewing, the city attracted a significant number of visitors on Monday. The city, boasting a population of approximately 10,000 people, became a hotspot for eclipse enthusiasts.
The cause of the crash remains uncertain. Looney, who spoke to two witnesses, mentioned that there is speculation that the small plane might have experienced an engine power loss.
“They soared through the sky, effortlessly surpassing the trees that lined the edge of the runway… and they hadn’t even reached the end of the runway,” he exclaimed.
“They became airborne around the midpoint of the runway, but encountered a setback when one of their engines failed. Consequently, they veered off course and ended up crashing into a dense, wooded area.”
Looney, who is also a member of the local fire department, played a crucial role in rescuing the four individuals. When he arrived at the scene, all of them were conscious.
The first responders had to free them from the plane by removing the canopy, as explained by him.
