Until it’s removed from its final resting spot, Batesville Police are keeping watch over the Learjet 45 that ran off the runway at Batesville Regional Airport early Tuesday night.
Batesville Police Chief Alan Cockrill told White River Now this morning that his department is securing the plane and the site for Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) investigators. Cockrill said the Arkansas State Police is handling the initial details of the incident. White River Now has also reached out to the FAA for further information.
There is still no word of any major injuries or the exact number of individuals on the aircraft. Cockrill noted the only details he had were that two pilots of the plane were taken to the hospital after the accident.
The small jet aircraft apparently ran off the runway, with the nose of the plane coming to a rest 10 to 15 feet from Highway 167. A section of the airport fence was wrapped around the fuselage when authorities arrived.
According to the airplane tracking website, Flight Aware, a Learjet 45 with the plane’s tail number left Waterloo Regional Airport in Iowa at 5:57 p.m. on Tuesday with a scheduled arrival in Batesville at 7:10 p.m. (Click here for the Flight Aware information.)
The plane was scheduled to depart from Batesville at 8:30 p.m. Tuesday and arrive at Fayetteville’s Drake Field at 8:58 p.m.
Flight Aware described the plane as a 2007 Learjet fixed-wing multi-engine aircraft owned by Michigan Cat Aviation LLC in Southfield, Mich.
Images: White River Now
Have a news tip or event to promote? Email White River Now at news@whiterivernow.com. Be sure to like and follow us on Facebook and Twitter. And don’t forget to download the White River Now mobile app from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.
Get up-to-date local and regional news/weather every weekday morning and afternoon from the First Community Bank Newsroom on Arkansas 103.3 KWOZ. White River Now updates are also aired weekday mornings on 93 KZLE, Outlaw 106.5, and Your FM 99.5.
