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

James Alan Michaels, a 70-year-old pilot from Wisconsin, died when his L-39 jet crashed and caught fire in a field near Mayfield, Kentucky, shortly after take-off on Sunday. He had been flying alongside his daughter, who was in a separate jet; the crash followed his radioing that he was having trouble and could not land.

The pair were returning to Wisconsin from Mississippi after attending an air show and stopping to refuel. Michaels reportedly attempted to reach an open field, but the aircraft hit a ditch and rolled; his daughter landed back at the airport and went to the scene. The NTSB is investigating, examining the pilot, aircraft and operating conditions, with a final report expected in 12 to 24 months. Michaels and his daughter had also survived a small-plane crash in Colorado in 2010.