VAN BUREN COUNTY, Ark. – Van Buren County officials have confirmed a deadly plane crash near the Van Buren and Stone County line.

According to Van Buren County Judge Dale James, dispatchers in Van Buren County received a call from the Federal Aviation Administration regarding a plane with engine failure shortly after 2 p.m. Tuesday.

Officials said rescue crews, a private aircraft and two National Guard Blackhawk helicopters flew over the area of North Van Buren County off Highway 110. Officials said the private aircraft found a debris field.

Officials said it took the ground team more than four hours to reach the site due to difficulties while traveling. The team had to go down a cliff to reach the site, officials said.

Officials said the pilot, 68-year-old Robert Phillip Mathis, from Corinth, Mississippi, died in the crash. He was flying from Fayetteville.

A small fire broke out after the crash but it did not spread, officials said.

Van Buren County officials said the FAA, National Transportation Safety Board and Arkansas State Police will be leading the investigation.