Another SR22T Developed Oil Pressure Problems  -- This Time, After Takeoff From Bentonville, AR

The former CEO of Walmart and his two passengers sustained only minor injuries when the Cirrus SR22T they were aboard developed engine problems shortly after takeoff from Bentonville Municipal Airport (KVBT) in Bentonville, AR Tuesday, and the pilot, Bill Simon, deployed the the airplane’s parachute.

According to television station KFSM, Simon, the former Walmart CEO, was flying to Waco, TX, where he is an adjunct professor at Baylor University. The plane started having oil pressure issues immediately after their 9:35 a.m. takeoff, according to the report. When those problems became severe, Simon decided to attempt a landing at Drake Field in Fayetteville. The plane at the time was at an altitude of about 9,800 feet when Simon started his descent, according to FlightAware.

Data from FlightAware indicates that the plane descended from 9,800 feet to about 2,200 feet before the parachute was deployed.

Fayetteville Police Sergeant Craig Stout said the two other people on board were Cliff Slinkard and Maurice Willis. All three were taken to a hospital with minor injuries. Also slightly injured was Shakemia Harris, who was driving a pickup truck that the Cirrus impacted as it came to rest on Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard in Fayetteville.

Once again, Alan Klapmeier's insistence on the installation of the BRS chute system has saved lives... and in dozens and dozens of incidents, so far... a move once opposed by current CEO Dale Klapmeier... who now seems more than willing to take credit for this and other visionary steps taken by Alan years before.

(Image from Fayetteville, AR police Facebook page)

FMI: www.ntsb.gov