Experimental aircraft crashes near Clovis

CLOVIS — An Arkansas man was injured Saturday when his experimental aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff from a private airfield east of Clovis.

Larry Bishop, 56, of Heber Springs, Arkansas, was transported to Plains Regional Medical Center for treatment. He was later airlifted to University Medical Center in Lubbock, where he was listed in critical condition.

A GoFundMe titled “Larry Bishop’s Runway to Recovery” states Bishop’s family has traveled to be in Lubbock for his recovery process. The crowdfunding campaign has a goal of $15,000 to defray medical and lodging expenses, and notes the family expects a long hospital stay with multiple surgeries.

According to a news release from the Curry County Sheriff’s Office, the crash happened about 9:45 a.m. Saturday as Bishop was returning to Heber Springs. He was piloting a small, single engine experimental aircraft.

A witness reported the aircraft had difficulty attempting to depart the airfield and subsequently crashed within the grounds of the airfield.