A pilot was killed Thursday evening when a small aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff from the Star City Municipal Airport, according to a report from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office.
Lincoln County deputies responded to the crash at approximately 7:06 p.m. on August 21. Upon arrival, officers found the remains of a small, single-engine ultralight aircraft that had gone down in a tree line near the airport.
According to a witness who called 911 and attempted life-saving measures, the aircraft had just taken off when it experienced engine failure. The witness reported that he was filming the plane’s takeoff and saw the pilot attempt to return to the runway before the aircraft stalled and nose-dived into the trees.
The pilot was later identified as 53-year-old James Brannon West of Star City. Authorities said West was testing the new ultralight plane when the crash occurred.
West suffered extensive, life-threatening injuries in the crash. Emergency responders provided treatment on the scene before transporting him to Jefferson Regional Medical Center, where he later died.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been notified and is expected to release additional details as the investigation continues.
