Dr. Robert Phillip Mathis Obituary-Death News; Former Corinth Surgeon, Tragically Killed In Arkansas Plane Crash Due To Aircraft Malfunction
In a tragic turn of events, 68-year-old Dr. Robert Phillip Mathis, a former surgeon and respected community member from Corinth, Mississippi, was killed in a plane crash in north-central Arkansas.
The incident occurred on the afternoon of Tuesday, October 29, 2024, near the town of Clinton, Arkansas. Dr. Mathis was the only occupant of the aircraft, a Beech 58 Baron, registered under Mathis Timber LLC in Corinth, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) registry.
Authorities, including the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the FAA, are conducting an in-depth investigation into the crash to determine what went wrong during Dr. Mathis’s final flight.
Early reports from the FAA indicate that the crash was preceded by an onboard emergency attributed to a “trim issue,” a problem that can significantly impact the aircraft’s stability and control, especially during critical phases of flight.
Dr. Mathis’s ill-fated journey began early on Tuesday, October 29, when he departed from his hometown of Corinth, Mississippi. The plane left Corinth at approximately 7:14 a.m., embarking on a flight path to Fayetteville, Arkansas. After landing safely in Fayetteville around 9 a.m., Dr. Mathis spent several hours in the area before taking off again in the early afternoon.
At 1:56 p.m., Dr. Mathis took off from Fayetteville for his return journey. However, less than 30 minutes into the flight, at approximately 2:27 p.m., the aircraft reportedly encountered serious mechanical trouble. Witnesses in the Clinton area noted seeing the Beech 58 Baron experiencing visible difficulties before it tragically crashed.
Preliminary tracking data shows that the aircraft maintained a stable altitude and speed in the initial stages of the return flight. Yet, as the plane neared Clinton, Arkansas, something went wrong, resulting in a quick descent.
The exact cause of the “trim issue” noted in the FAA’s report remains unclear, but it could involve the elevator trim system, which controls the pitch of the aircraft, or the rudder trim, which affects its directional stability.
Words fall short of expressing our grief for your loss, as we mourn with family and friends for this great loss. We are truly sorry to hear of the loss of this promising being. Please accept our condolences, and may our prayers help comfort you. Please accept our heartfelt condolences.