The Smart Marty Sky Dispatch
Man killed in fiery Kentucky jet crash told daughter of trouble in midair
Before he died, a Wisconsin father radioed his daughter about issues he was having after takeoff on Sunday, Nov. 8. Then his jet hit a ditch and caught fire in Kentucky.
A 70-year-old Wisconsin man died when his military-style jet crashed in a field near Mayfield, Kentucky, shortly after takeoff on Sunday, Nov. 8. He was piloting an L-39 Albatros and was alone on board the aircraft.
The crash occurred after the pilot communicated he was experiencing issues and would not be able to land, according to the Graves County Sheriff's Office. The plane reportedly attempted to return to the airport before it went down in a ditch off Spence Chapel Road near Interstate 69 and Ky. 131, where it caught fire.
The incident involved two L-39 Albatros jets flown by father and daughter, with the daughter, Tonie Michaels, arriving at the scene shortly after the crash. She later returned to the airport and began making phone calls, the sheriff’s office said.
The Federal Aviation Administration said the crash occurred around 2:25 p.m. local time, while local authorities had recorded 2:08 p.m. The National Transportation Safety Board will lead the investigation, which is expected to include a site examination, aircraft recovery, and data review of flight records, licensing, and recent flight history. The probable cause and contributing factors will be determined in the final report, anticipated in 12 to 24 months.