Man killed in fiery Kentucky jet crash told daughter of trouble in midair

A man killed in a jet crash on Nov. 8 near the Mayfield Graves County Airport in Kentucky on Nov. 8 was in communication with his daughter prior to the incident. 

James Alan Michaels, 70, was identified as the pilot of L39 Albatros, an older military-style jet, when it crashed in a field near Spence Chapel Road and Ky Hwy 131, according to a release from the Graves County Sheriff’s Office. 

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Authorities received a call of a downed plane near the airport and first responders located it in a field engulfed in flames. 

A second plane piloted by Michaels' daughter, Tonie, 35, landed safely at the Mayfield Graves County airport following the crash.

What happened in the Kentucky jet crash?

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James Alan Michaels and Tonie Michaels, both from Wisconsin, were each flying L39 Albatros jets as they were returning from an air show in Mississippi.

The father and daughter stopped at the Mayfield Graves County Airport in Kentucky to refuel.

Shortly after takeoff, authorities said James radioed Tonie that he was returning to the airport and was experiencing an issue. Moments later, the plane went down in a field. 

The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are actively investigating the incident.

The Source: Information for this story was provided by a release from the Graves County Sheriff’s Office. This story was reported from Washington, D.C.