Incident Name:
Date: last communication: 1/31/2014, shortly after 1310 hrs
Personnel: Jacob Thomas Harrell of North Little Rock, AR
Age: 34
Agency/Organization: Arkansas Forestry Commission
Position: aerial firefighter
Summary:
On January 31, 2014, Jake Harrell’s single-engine Cessna 210 Centurion fire-spotting plane disappeared in one of the most steep, untamed and unreachable areas in terms of creekbeds, ravines and pine trees in the whole state of Arkansas. Jake was scouting multiple fires and additional hotspots for the Arkansas Forestry Commission. He and his plane were found on 2/11 in a remote part of the Ouachita National Forest, Montgomery County, north of Glenwood. He did not survive.
Scouting route was from Malvern to Wickes, around Ouachita National Forest in western Arkansas. He was last heard from between the two cities, near Oden.
Searching western Arkansas wilderness, focusing on the area around Oden;
found north of Glenwood, AR, pin in Glenwood on the map.
{mosmap lat=’34.327098’|lon=’-93.559395’|marker=’0’|text=’Glenwood, AR’}
guestimate for accident location:
{mosmap lat=’34.351706’|lon=’-93.764415’|marker=’0’|text=’Glenwood, AR’}
NTSB: Incident Location: West of Glenwood in Montgomery County, AR (Approx USNG: 15S VU 00 00)
Reports, Documentation, Lessons Learned
- Concise Information from the NTSB, FAA, AAP and research by the WLF Staff:
- crashed on 1/31/2014, plane wreckage was found on 2/11/2014
- 1 killed, Jacob “Jake” Harrell
- Operator: Arkansas Forestry Commission
- Type: Cessna 210E Centurion
- Location: near Oden, AR
- FAA Registration # N4957U
- NTSB # CEN14GA135
- NTSB: Factual Report
- NTSB: Probable Cause (html) and Probable Causet (pdf)
- NTSB Preliminary Report (html) and Preliminary Report (pdf)
- For more information as it becomes available, consult the NTSB online lookup Utility Use CEN14GA135.
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Wildlandfire.com Links:
- Theysaid: 2/4/2014
- Hotlist: Missing Detection Plane, 2/4/14
- Pilot Scouting Arkansas Forest Fires Goes MissingFeb. 02, 2014 | Online Article (no longer online)
As 13 wildfires ripped across Arkansas on Friday, January 31, state forestry pilot Jacob Thomas Harrell took a small plane out to look for additional hot spots. Late Saturday, search crews still had not found any sign of either Harrell or the single-engine Cessna 210 Centurion since his last radio call more than 30 hours earlier.
“We are going to be here until we find Jake,” State Forester Joe Fox said in a statement released Saturday evening. “Tonight and tomorrow’s efforts are already planned and we are aggressively covering as much ground as quickly and safely as possible.” More at the link…
- Search for Arkansas Forestry Pilot Continues2/5/2014 | Online Article
After foul weather bogged down the search for a missing Arkansas Forestry Commission pilot and aircraft, search crews resumed the effort Wednesday.
More than 200 people and 15 aircraft were committed in the search for Jake Harrell, who has been missing since Friday afternoon… More at the link…
- Search to resume for missing forestry plane2/7/14 | Online Article
Six helicopters are set to fly over mountains Friday along Harrell’s flight route and fixed-wing aircraft would join them if visibility improves later in the morning. Helicopters are checking and re-checking areas from different directions to ensure that all slopes and angles are covered… …crews are searching an area of an estimated 950,000 acres, or about 1,484 square miles, which includes north and south of Lake Ouachita; west to U.S. 71 and the Oklahoma state line; the Wickes area; Lake Greeson and the Daisy community… More at the link…
- Press release from the family, 2/9/2014:
“We would like to thank the many people who have shared their love, support and prayers during the search for Jake.
We are especially grateful to the Arkansas Forestry Commission and State Forester, Joe Fox for their leadership in the effort. The Governor’s Office, the US Forest Service, the Arkansas National Guard, Polk County Sheriff’s office, Montgomery County Sheriff’s office, Scott County Sheriff’s office, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, Arkansas Department of Emergency Management, Civil Air Patrol, National Weather Service, Arkansas State Police, the 188th Fighter Wing and the North Little Rock Police Department have all been supportive and responsive in an unparalleled display of cooperation and coordination.
Our heartfelt thanks go to the pilots, ground personnel, and the team in the Incident Command Center. We are confident the many agencies involved are doing everything in their power to find Jake. We are thankful to be part of the Arkansas family!
We continue to be hopeful and optimistic. We are praying for a miracle and for Jake’s safe return to his home and family.”
Jaime Harrell – spouse
Rick and Pam Harrell – parents
Ashley Duff – sister
- Missing Plane Found, Pilot Did Not Survive2/11/2014 | Online Article
The 12-day search for a missing Arkansas Forestry Commission pilot and his plane ended Tuesday, with the commission confirming that both the plane and the pilot have been located. The plane was found by a Civil Air Patrol plane in Montgomery County north of Glenwood at 4:05 p.m. 2/11/2014 Tuesday, and Arkansas State Police confirmed the plane is that of the missing pilot… (More at the link..)
- Forestry commission says missing pilot found dead2/11/2014 | Online Article
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — An Arkansas Forestry Commission pilot who went missing with his plane last month while patrolling for wildfires was found dead Tuesday in the wreckage of the aircraft that may have clipped the trees or a rugged mountain itself, the agency said.
The commission said the plane was spotted at about 4 p.m. Tuesday by the Civil Air Patrol and was confirmed by a state police helicopter, with the body of Jake Harrell found by a member of the National Guard who was lowered to the crash site from a helicopter, according to commission spokeswoman Adriane Barnes.
Based on what the guardsman saw, “it is probable at this time that Jake clipped the top of a mountain,” Barnes said. Crews were working Tuesday night to recover the body, which was still at the scene, she said.
Searchers had been looking for the plane and for Harrell, 34, since he vanished Jan. 31 while on a flight seeking wildfires in the region, but they had struggled with wintry weather. Most days crews were unable to use aircraft in the search, leaving it to teams formed from about 200 ground searchers. Harrell was filling in for a sick co-worker when… (Much more at the link…)
- Crews recover fallen brother Jake Harrell2/12/2014 | Online Article and video
- Funeral arrangements set for pilot found dead in crash2/13/2014 | Online Article and video
- ‘Jake Harrell was an amazing man’: Hundreds remember fallen pilot2/15/2014 | Online Article
- Jake worked full-time for the North Little Rock Police Department, has also served overseas with the Arkansas Air National Guard 188th Fighter Wing. He had been a certified pilot since at least 2001 and became a flight instructor more recently, according to FAA records.
Family photo:
- Services:A visitation at the First Assembly of God Church in North Little Rock, 4501 Burrow Road is set from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, 2/14.
Jake’s funeral will be 10 a.m. Saturday at the same location.
- The Brayden Harrell Scholarship Fund has been set up for Jake’s young son at Simmons First National Bank and Metropolitan Bank locations, North Little Rock, AR.
- USFA Memorial Database: Jake Harrell
- From Arkansas Governor Mike BeebeFriday, Feb 14, 2014
Arkansas State Flag at Half Staff for Arkansas Forestry Commission fire pilot Jake Harrell
PROCLAMATION:
WHEREAS: Arkansas Forestry Commission Pilot, Jacob Thomas Harrell, born on November 25, 1980, in North Little Rock, Arkansas, was deeply loved by his family and many friends. Jake was a dedicated and conscientious pilot and member of the Arkansas Forestry Commission, and he gave his life protecting others on January 31, 2014, serving his State in the line of duty in Montgomery County; and
WHEREAS: Jake Harrell was the devoted husband of Jaime Fish Harrell and proud father of Brayden Thomas Harrell, both of North Little Rock; the beloved son of Rick and Pam Harrell of Sherwood; the loving brother of Ashley Duff of Vilonia; and the cherished grandson of Doris Wingo and Ola Mae Harrell; as well as a valued friend and respected public servant to scores of people from across the State; and
WHEREAS: After attending Sherwood and Sylvan Hills public schools, Jake pursued his life-long dream to become a pilot. In 2004, he received his Bachelor of Science in Aviation from Henderson State University (HSU). Jake became a flight instructor for HSU and in 2005 began flying fire detection routes for the Arkansas Forestry Commission. He also served as a maintenance crew chief with the Arkansas Air National Guard’s 188th Fighter Wing at Fort Chaffee, and was deployed to Iraq in 2005 and to Afghanistan in 2010 and 2012. Jake began a career in law enforcement in 2012, serving with distinction as a patrolman in the North Little Rock Police Department; and
WHEREAS: Jake Harrell was always the consummate professional and dedicated public servant, proud of the vital role he played in protecting our citizens and our natural heritage; and
WHEREAS: Jake was a loyal friend to those who served with him, a valuable participant in his community and deeply committed to his church, First Assembly of God in North Little Rock, where he was actively involved in ministry and was known as a man of faith; and
WHEREAS: All Arkansas citizens owe Jake Harrell a lasting debt of gratitude for performing his job with integrity and enthusiasm and should pay tribute to his faithful service; and
WHEREAS: Citizens of this State extend deepest sympathy to the family and loved ones of Jake Harrell;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, MIKE BEEBE, Governor of the State of Arkansas, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the laws of the State of Arkansas, in tribute to the memory of Jake Harrell and as an expression of public sorrow, do hereby direct that all State flags be flown at half-staff on Saturday, February 15, 2014.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Arkansas to be affixed this 13th day of February, in the year of our Lord 2014
- Photo Gallery: Jake Harrell’s memorial service
Contributors to this article: Evangeline, GA Peach
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