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 Mayfield, Kentucky, shortly after takeoff due to reported issues. The pilot had radioed his daughter, who was flying a separate jet, that he was experiencing trouble and intended to return to the airport. The plane impacted a ditch, caught fire, and the pilot was pronounced dead at the scene.
- James Alan Michaels, 70, of Dousman, Wisconsin, died in a jet crash in Mayfield, Kentucky, on November 8.
- Michaels and his daughter, Tonie Michaels, were flying separate L-39 Albatros jets from Mississippi back to Wisconsin after an air show stop for fuel.
- Shortly after takeoff, Michaels reported experiencing issues and intended to return to the airport, but later radioed that he could not land.
- The jet crashed into a ditch in a field, caught fire, and rolled.
- The daughter landed safely at the airport and contacted authorities.
- The NTSB will lead the investigation into the crash.
- The father and daughter had survived a previous small-plane crash in Colorado 16 years prior.
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