Barry Boes Obituary, Death Cause, ASP: One killed in Lafayette County plane crash

Barry Boes Obituary, Death Cause – A tragic aviation accident in Arkansas claimed the life of a Tennessee man on Monday night, according to Arkansas State Police. The incident was first reported at approximately 9:30 p.m. when the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office received information about a possible downed aircraft. The report indicated the crash site was located about two miles south of the town of Bradley, near Arkansas Highway 29. At the time of the call, details were limited, and authorities immediately began coordinating a search for the missing plane.

Through the night, emergency teams scoured the area, and around 3:30 a.m., an Arkansas State Police (ASP) helicopter located the wreckage in a wooded region not far from the original report. The discovery confirmed that the aircraft had gone down in a hard-to-access area surrounded by dense terrain, which slowed recovery efforts.

By 5:15 a.m., troopers from ASP’s Troop G Highway Patrol, deputies from the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office, and other local emergency responders had reached the crash site. The scene revealed the remnants of a single-engine 2021 Lancair Super Barracuda. According to authorities, the plane had departed from Austin, Texas, and was en route to Chattanooga, Tennessee, when the crash occurred.

The pilot, later identified as 54-year-old Barry Boes of Ooltewah, Tennessee, was the sole occupant of the aircraft. Sadly, he did not survive the crash and was pronounced dead at the site by officials.

In line with aviation accident protocols, the investigation into the crash has been handed over to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). These agencies will conduct a thorough review of the wreckage, flight data, and other contributing factors to determine what led to the fatal accident. Such investigations typically examine weather conditions, pilot records, maintenance logs, and potential mechanical issues to piece together the circumstances of the crash.

Arkansas State Police confirmed that Boes’ remains will be sent to the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory. A medical examination will establish the official manner and cause of death, though preliminary findings at the scene already pointed to the crash itself as the cause.

The incident highlights the risks associated with general aviation flights, particularly when traveling at night and over less-populated areas where crash sites can be difficult to locate quickly. While officials have not yet released information on potential causes such as weather or equipment malfunction, the ongoing federal investigation will aim to provide answers to Boes’ family and the broader aviation community.

For now, local authorities have expressed condolences to Boes’ family as they await further updates from the FAA and NTSB. The loss marks a somber moment for the Lafayette County community, which played a central role in the overnight search and recovery efforts.

This case remains under active investigation, with federal agencies expected to release preliminary findings in the coming weeks. A full final report may take months as investigators carefully analyze all available evidence.