Officials with the Arkansas Forestry Commission say a single-engine aircraft headed to a fire in Howard County crashed shortly after takeoff from the Hot Springs airport Friday afternoon.
Authorities say the incident happened at 2:30 p.m. near the 700 block of Main Street. Witnesses report seeing the aircraft clip the corner of one home, then crash into the backyard of a second home nearby. The aircraft came to rest at the intersection of Siesta and Frieda streets.
The pilot was taken to a local hospital with minor injuries.
Forestry officials say the aircraft had been contracted from Western Pilot Service, and was carrying a combination of water and foam to the Howard Co. blaze.