http://www.katv.com/story/24604609/forestry-pilot-fails-to-check-in-with-central-dispatch




Officials said 34-year-old Jake Harrell was last heard from by AFC Dispatch at 1:11 p.m. Friday afternoon.

North Little Rock Police Department spokesman Sergeant Brian Dedrick said Harrell had been with the department for six months before the military called him to active duty. He said Harrell has since been serving with the Arkansas Air National Guard 188th Fighter Wing for the last 18 months.  

Searchers are continuing to look for Harrell on the ground and by air.  

The plane was flying a standard detection route through west Arkansas, locating possible wildfires and relaying GPS coordinates back to Central Dispatch. Pilots check in every thirty minutes as a safety practice on all flights.

A command center has been set up in Mena to find Harrell. The Forestry Commission, U.S. Forest Service, Polk and Montgomery County deputies, Arkansas Game and Fish, Arkansas National Guard, Arkansas State Police, Civil Air Patrol and Emergency Management crews have joined in the search. 

"We are using every resource available to locate the whereabouts of our missing pilot. We will focus today on the areas closest to his last known location and possible spots west and south of that point. Thank you to everyone sending prayers and support," said AFC Investigator and scene Incident Commander, Billy Black.

Sgt. Dedrick said the NLR Police Department's prayers are with Harrell's family as crews continue to work on the search and recovery effort.  

Stay with KATV News and KATV.com for more information on this developing story as it becomes available.  

 



Please keep him in your prayers for a safe return home.