Sheriff's office identifies pilot killed after L-39 Albatros jet crash on Sunday

The Graves County Sheriff’s Office has identified the pilot who was killed when his L-39 Albatros jet crashed on Sunday. According to officials, James Alan Michaels, 70, of Dousman, died after the plane went down in a field around 2:08 p.m. near Spence Chapel Road and Ky HWY 131. The sheriff’s office said Michaels communicated with his daughter, who was flying a similar aircraft, that he was experiencing an issue after takeoff and that he needed to return to the airport. The plane went down shortly after the communication, officials said. The FAA and the NTSB are expected to begin their investigations into the crash today. The public is asked to avoid the area for the time being. Let's talk: Hey there! At TMJ4 News, we're all about listening to our audience and tackling the stuff that really matters to you. Got a story idea, tip, or just want to chat about this piece? Hit us up using the form below. For more ways to get in touch, head over to tmj4.com/tips. Name Email Phone number Story you're commenting on Message Verification: Submit It’s about time to watch on your time. Stream local news and weather 24/7 by searching for “TMJ4” on your device. Available for download on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and more. Report a typo or error