Cross County, Arkansas – Tragedy struck Cross County on Monday afternoon when a small plane went down near Parkin, killing all three people on board. Arkansas State Police (ASP) confirmed the identities of the victims Tuesday, as federal and state authorities continue their investigation into the cause of the crash.
The victims were identified as Bob Clark Bolton Jr., 52, of Heber Springs, the pilot, and passengers Stanley Mitchell and Michael Montgomery, both of Jonesboro. According to Cross County Sheriff David West, the three men had flown from Poinsett County to Louisiana for a hunting trip and were returning home when the accident occurred.
Authorities first received reports of a missing aircraft around 3:15 p.m. Oct. 6 near the intersection of State Highways 75 and 306, west of Midway. “Memphis Air Traffic Control lost radar contact and communications with the Cessna 210B as it traveled from New Orleans to Jonesboro,” ASP officials said in a news release.
A coordinated search effort was launched immediately, involving the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, the Arkansas State Police, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center. The plane was located around 6 p.m. in a marshy slough south of Highway 306 outside Parkin. “The crash killed the pilot, Bob Clark Bolton Jr. of Heber Springs, and both passengers, Stanley Mitchell and Michael Montgomery both of Jonesboro,” West confirmed.
Recovery of the victims proved challenging due to the marshy terrain. Crews retrieved two of the bodies Monday night, while the third was recovered the following morning. Sheriff West described the crash as a result of the men running into a storm on their return flight and losing their way.
Federal authorities are now involved, with both the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) opening investigations into the incident. Details about the weather conditions and the plane’s final moments are still being evaluated. Officials have not released a timeline for the completion of the investigation.
The loss of Bolton, Mitchell, and Montgomery has sent shockwaves through their communities. Local residents remembered the men as outdoors enthusiasts who enjoyed hunting trips together. “It’s a heartbreaking situation,” Sheriff West said. “These were experienced individuals who unfortunately ran into circumstances beyond their control.”
As the community mourns, authorities are reminding local pilots to exercise caution in unpredictable weather and to ensure flight plans are updated before every trip. The investigation into the crash will continue until the FAA and NTSB determine the exact cause and contributing factors.
The Cross County plane crash serves as a somber reminder of the dangers of small aircraft travel, particularly during inclement weather. Families, friends, and neighbors of the victims continue to grieve the loss of three lives cut tragically short.
