** Update ** The pilot and passenger in the small plane that crashed in Jonesboro early this morning has been identified. The pilot was Kenneth Caubble, 40, of Jonesboro. The passenger was his son, Harrison Caubble, 18, of Jonesboro.
Here is the police report from JPD officer Joe Robinson:
On June 10, 2015 at 0545 Hours I was dispatched to a plane crash at Fujis parking lot, located at 1923 E. Highland Dr. Upon arrival, I made contact with the pilot, Kenneth Caubble, and passenger, Harrison Caubble, of the plane. The pilot told me that he and his son were flying to Oklahoma for a college orientation when the plane began to fly strangely. The pilot decided to turn the plane back eastbound in order to get back to the airport. While back en route to the airport the engine began to stall, forcing the pilot to attempt to land the plane in the parking lot. The pilot stated that he landed the plane safely, but struck a metal post which tore the right wing off of the plane, then struck a second pole causing the plane to flip over and catch fire. Both the pilot and the passenger were able to get out of the plane without injury. The fire department arrived shortly after and put out the fire. The scene was taped off to be preserved. The FAA was notified to investigate the incident and a representative was sent to the scene.
Here is the earlier story:
The occupants of a small plane are reportedly safe after crashing in a Jonesboro parking lot shortly before 6 this morning.
The plane had reportedly just taken off from Jonesboro Municipal Airport when it developed engine trouble. The pilot reportedly tried to return to the airport, but instead attempted to land the plane in an open area on the South side of the shopping center at the corner of Highland and Red Wolf Blvd. The plane ended up on the East end of the shopping center near the military recruiting offices along Red Wolf Blvd.
Social media posts suggest that there were two occupants of the plane, a father and his teenage son. The posts also suggest the son had just completed his oral exam and FAA check ride to become a licensed pilot within the last month. The occupants have not been reported by authorities.
The tail number on the plane is registered to C&S Aviation, LLC of Jonesboro. The registration indicates the plane is a Piper PA-28R-200. A flight plan had been filed for the plane indicating it would travel to Oklahoma.
KAIT reports there was a small fire following the crash but it was extinguished.
(Jonesboro Radio Group Photo)
Jonesboro Fire and Police officials were on the scene earlier this morning. Traffic was not affected by the crash but the parking lot to the shopping center is blocked at Red Wolf Blvd.
(Photo courtesy Tim McNamee)
