Kentuckians reflect on Comair Flight 5191 crash after Louisville UPS tragedy

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – After this week’s tragic UPS plane crash in Louisville, many Kentuckians are reflecting on another devastating air disaster in the state’s history. Earlier this year marked the 19th anniversary of the Comair Flight 5191 crash at Lexington’s Blue Grass Airport — one of Kentucky’s deadliest aviation tragedies.

On August 27, 2006, Comair Flight 5191 attempted to take off from the wrong runway, which was too short for the plane. The crash killed 49 people on board, leaving only one survivor — First Officer James Polehinke. The tragedy led to sweeping changes in airport safety procedures nationwide and remains a somber reminder of the importance of aviation safety.