Pilot killed in Lonoke Co. plane crash

LONOKE COUNTY (KATV) — A man died from injuries he received when the plane he was flying crashed in Lonoke County Monday evening.

The Lonoke County Sheriff's Office received a call Monday at 5:37 p.m. about a downed aircraft in a wooded area east of Panola Road.

When deputies arrived on the scene, they located the pilot, 75-year-old George Smith of North Little Rock, laying on the ground. Smith's single engine sport-type airplane was lodged in a tree top. Smith, who was conscious when deputies found him, told them the aircraft lost power and crashed into the tree. He fell approximately 30 feet to the ground after disengaging his seatbelt.

Smith was airlifted to a nearby hospital where he later died from the injuries he sustained.

The FAA and NTSB are investigating the crash.