A Star City man died Thursday evening after his homemade ultralight aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff at the Star City Municipal Airport, authorities said.
Arkansas State Police said James West, 53, attempted to take off around 7:30 when the aircraft appeared to stall during a turn, struck a tree and hit the ground.
Emergency responders from EASI Ambulance Services, the Star City Police Department and the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office began lifesaving measures at the scene. West was taken to Jefferson Regional Medical Center in Pine Bluff, where he later died.
The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board have been notified and will lead the investigation into the cause of the crash.
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