VIDEO: Plane lands on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Fayetteville

Photos: Todd Gill

UPDATE: KNWA’s Lisa Brence reported the plane was being flown by Bill Simon, former CEO of Walmart Stores Inc.’s U.S. stores. Fayetteville police later confirmed the following passengers aboard the plane: Pilot Bill Simon, 56; co-pilot Cliff Slincard, 59; and passenger Maurice Willis, 47.

A small plane parachuted onto Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard during an emergency landing Tuesday morning in front of Fayetteville High School, resulting in minor injuries.

The Cirrus SR 22 plane struck the bed of a pickup truck when it landed in the street at around 10 a.m. At least one person was taken to the hospital with minor injuries.

Eye witness Kelly King, who captured video of the crash as she was driving near the scene of the accident, said everyone was able to walk away from the plane.

“They seemed alright,” said King. “The passenger had a towel pressed against a cut on his head. Those are the luckiest two guys I’ve ever met.”

King said that a ballistic parachute was deployed from the plane and helped to soften the impact as it struck the eastbound lane near Stadium Drive.

Charles Holenchick, a second eyewitness of the crash, said he was outside when he noticed the plane drifting over the high school. He said he heard the engine cut out and then saw the parachute deploy.

Holenchick said the plane landed on its wheels as it struck the truck. He said nobody seemed to have sustained any major injuries.

According to Fayetteville police, the private plane was traveling from Bentonville to Waco, Texas when oil pressure problems forced the pilot to attempt the emergency landing.

Video of the crash – by Kelly King


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