ARKANSAS — A pilot was killed Thursday afternoon after a small plane crashed into Beaver Lake in Benton County, according to the Benton County Sheriff’s Office.
Emergency crews, including the Highway 94 East Volunteer Fire Department and the Benton County Sheriff’s Office, responded to reports of an aircraft going down near Monte Ne around 1:30 p.m.
The Federal Aviation Administration said a Jodell D-11 aircraft crashed into Beaver Lake in Rogers. Only the pilot was on board at the time of the crash. The FAA noted that the information is preliminary and subject to change.
Authorities identified the pilot as 61-year-old Kim Sweet. His body has been recovered.
The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the crash, with the NTSB leading the investigation and providing updates.
Sweet was a board member of the Arkansas Air & Military Museum in Fayetteville. A museum official confirmed his involvement and described him as a “cherished member” of the organization.
In a statement posted to social media, the museum said Sweet had been involved since its creation and was dedicated to sharing his love of aviation. The organization said he frequently volunteered his time, assisted with outreach programs and summer camps, and supported the museum in numerous ways.
The investigation into the crash remains ongoing.
