Flight School Owner Dies in Alabama Plane Crash
Douglas Emge, 62, was the sole occupant of the Van's RV-4 aircraft that crashed near Albertville.
A flight school owner has died after the single-engine plane he was piloting crashed in DeKalb County, Alabama. Douglas Emge, 62, was killed in the incident involving a Van's RV-4 aircraft. The crash occurred near a water tank in the Whiton community around 6:50 a.m. on Tuesday.
DeKalb County Emergency Management Agency Director Michael Posey confirmed Emge was the only person on board the aircraft. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) stated that an investigator is expected to arrive at the scene on Wednesday to begin documenting and examining the wreckage. The cause of the crash is currently unknown.
The DeKalb County Sheriff's Office had advised residents to avoid the area of CR-3 in Whiton as emergency responders arrived at the scene. Social media users in the vicinity reported hearing the plane shortly before the crash.
Emge was the owner of Albertville Aviation Inc., a flight school that offered lessons for new pilots. A description on the business website highlighted its suitability for training due to its manageable traffic and proximity to other aircraft.
His wife, Stacy Emge, frequently shared photos of them and videos of him flying on Facebook. The Sheriff's Office confirmed that Emge's family has been notified of his death.
The National Transportation Safety Board will be investigating the crash. The FAA is expected to release a preliminary accident report with additional details in the coming days.