Military Helicopter Crashes In Park

An Arkansas Air National Guard  helicopter experienced a mechanical failure, lost power, and auto-rotated into the Buffalo River at Buffalo Point yesterday afternoon. The three crewmembers were able to reach shore without assistance; two were hospitalized, one sustaining serious injury in the crash. The National Park Service, Arkansas State Police, Marion County Sheriff’s Office, and Ralph Caney Fire Department were on scene within minutes of the crash. There is little potential for a fuel spill since the chopper was equipped with a self-sealing fuel system. The river from the Highway 14 bridge to Buffalo Point is closed to river traffic.  The gravel bar and parking lot at Buffalo Point are closed until further notice.  The UH-58 helicopter was on a routine mission between Clinton and the Flippin Airport for Twentieth Judicial Task Force, National Park Service, and Arkansas State Police when the incident occurred.