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Torn too soon from the fabric of our life
By Linda Blackford and Amy Wilson, HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITERS
Tim Snoddy left half a cup of coffee on the counter, a pair of polished riding boots on the floor and a raft of open court cases behind when he boarded Flight 5191.
FROM THE HERALD-LEADER - AUG. 28, 2006
CRASH KILLS 49
'We are families and friends of the victims'
By Amy Wilson, HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITER
Comair 5191 never made it much beyond the moist green earth from which it had broken free. An hour before sunrise in clearing weather, the airplane with 50 souls aboard ran out of runway. The Atlanta-bound plane lasted less than a minute aloft before falling a mile west of the airport, casting 50,000 pounds of debris and jet fuel about as it all burned mercilessly to a halt.

DAVID STEPHENSON | STAFF
A commuter jet bound for Atlanta crashed on take off from Bluegrass Airport in Lexington, Ky., just before dawn Sunday, killing 49 of the 50 people on board. The tail of the plane is visible in the trees at lower left. More photos
Debbie Hersman, a spokesperson with the National Transportation Safety Board, speaks to reporters at a press conference Sunday Aug. 27, 2006 in Lexington, Ky regarding the crash of Comair Flight 5191. Preliminary flight data from the plane's black boxes and the damage at the scene indicate the plane took off from the shortest runway at Blue Grass Airport, Hersman said.
Federal officials confirm pilot did not use correct runway
By Jim Warren, Beth Musgrave And Brandon Ortiz, HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITERS
Federal authorities confirmed last night that preliminary information from a downed Comair jet showed the pilot took off from the wrong runway, causing the plane to crash near Blue Grass Airport yesterday.
NTSB fears runway blunders
MISTAKE ON LANDING OR TAKEOFF CAN BE CATASTROPHIC
By Linda J. Johnson, HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITER
The National Transportation Safety Board has long been concerned about "runway incursions" and "pilot deviations" -- code words for runway blunders that can have catastrophic results.
Comair President Don Bornhorst, a graduate of Eastern Kentucky University, said he was devasted by the crash.
Comair president feels devastated
CRASH 'NOT GOING TO HELP THEM,' SAYS UK ECONOMIST
By Jim Jordan, HERALD-LEADER BUSINESS WRITER
Although struggling financially, Comair and its parent, Delta Air Lines, moved quickly yesterday to respond to the crash of Flight 5191 near Lexington's Blue Grass Airport.
Churches pray for victims and their families
SOME LEARNED OF CRASH AT SERVICE OR ON THE WAY
By Frank E. Lockwood And Mary Meehan, HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITERS
At South Elkhorn Baptist Church yesterday evening, the service was interrupted repeatedly by the wail of emergency vehicles. Pastor Damon Jones knew what the sounds meant.
Commuter craft 'very typical regional aircraft'
CRJ-100 WAS MADE IN CANADA, LOGGED 12,000 FLIGHTS
By Linda J. Johnson, HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITER
The Comair Delta connections flight that crashed at Blue Grass Airport is a CRJ-100 series plane made by Bombardier Aerospace of Toronto, Canada. It had logged 12,000 flights and 14,500 flight hours since Comair purchased it in January 2001.
Hotel is epicenter of grief
DELTA AIRLINES WILL COVER LODGING COSTS FOR FAMILIES
By Mary Meehan, HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITER
They came in groups and alone, faces stoic, steps quick. Then they left, often slow and unsteady, walking through the late August heat back to their cars and to lives forever changed.
Bodies of victims are being autopsied in Frankfort
FAMILIES ARE ASKED TO PROVIDE DENTAL RECORDS
By Jack Brammer and Steve Lannen, HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITERS
The bodies of all 49 crash victims have been taken to the state central laboratory in Frankfort for autopsies and identification. By 8:30 p.m. last night, when the work was ending for the night, the initial autopsies had been performed on 16 to 17 bodies, said Stacy Floden, spokeswoman for the state Justice and Public Safety Cabinet.
Emmys plane-crash spoof left LEX 18 manager 'horrified'
By Jamie Gumbrecht, HERALD-LEADER CULTURE WRITER
LEX 18 News ended an evening recap of yesterday's coverage of the Comair Flight 5191 crash for the live broadcast of the prime-time Emmy Awards. The annual TV awards show opened with shots of host Conan O'Brien bouncing inside a plane before it crashed on an island in a spoof of ABC's hit show Lost.
News gatherers worldwide descend on Bluegrass for view of latest disaster
By Andy Mead, HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITER
It's not the kind of worldwide media attention any city wants. But, with yesterday's crash at Blue Grass Airport, Lexington joined Hurricane Ernesto and Fox News journalists being released in Gaza at the top of news cycles everywhere.

DAVID STEPHENSON | STAFF
Chief Deputy Richard A. Head, right, with the Fayette County Sheriff's Department helped direct family members who arrived at the airport for more information. More photos
'My heart goes out to everyone's family'
MOOD IS SOMBER AMONG WORKERS, PASSENGERS
By Beverly Fortune, HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITER
At noon yesterday, Darrell Patton left the terminal at Blue Grass Airport, glad to be headed back home to Leslie County. His 1:30 p.m. flight to Chicago was canceled after the early-morning crash of Comair Flight 5191 a few minutes after takeoff.

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ABOARD FLIGHT 5191 |   Online guestbook | FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS
(Updated 10:01 a.m. ET, Sept. 1)
• Rebecca Adams, 47, Harrodsburg | Profile
• Lyle Anderson, 55, Ottawa, Ont.| Profile
• Christina Anderson, 38, Inglewood, Ont. | Profile
• Arnold Andrews, 64, Tampa, Fla. Profile
• Anne Marie Bailey, 49, Vancouver, B.C. | Profile
• Bobbie Benton, 50, Stanford | Profile
• Jesse Clark Benton, 48, Stanford | Profile
• Carole Bizzack, 64, Lexington | Profile
• George Brunacini, 60, Georgetown | Profile
• Brian Byrd, 28, Richmond | Profile
• Jeffrey Clay, 35, Burlington | Profile
• Diane Combs, 52, Lexington | Profile
• Homer Combs, 51, Lexington | Profile
• Fenton Dawson, 46, Lexington | Profile
• Thomas Fahey, 26, Leawood, Kan. | Profile
• Mike Finley 52, London | Profile
• Clarence Wayne Fortney II, 34, Lexington | Profile
• Wade Bartley Frederick, 44, Danville | Profile
• Hollie Gilbert, 34, Somerset | Profile
•  Erik Harris, 28, Lexington Profile
• Kelly Heyer, 27, Cincinnati area | Profile
• Jonathan Hooker, 27, London | Profile
• Scarlett Parsley Hooker, 23, London | Profile
• Priscilla Johnson, 44, Lexington | Profile
 • Nahoko Kono, 31, Lexington | Profile
• Tetsuya Kono, 34, Lexington | Profile
• Charles Lykins, 46, Naples, Fla. | Profile
• Dan Mallory, 55, Bourbon County | Profile
• Steve McElravy, 57, Hagerstown, Md. | Profile
• Lynda McKee, 57, Richmond | Profile
• Bobby Meaux, 31, Harrodsburg | Profile
• Kaye Craig Morris, 57, Lexington | Profile
• Leslie Morris, 72, Lexington | Profile
• Cecile Moscoe, 29, Richmond | Profile
• Judy Ann Rains, 35, Richmond | Profile
• Michael Ryan, 55, Lexington | Profile
• Mary Jane Silas, 58, Columbus, Miss. | Profile
• Pat Smith, 58, Lexington | Profile
• Tim Snoddy, 51, Lexington | Profile
• Marcie Thomason, 25, Washington, D.C. | Profile
• Greg Threet, 35, Lexington | Profile
• Randy Towles, 47, Waterton, N.Y. | Profile
• Larry Turner, 51, Lexington | Profile
• Victoria Washington, 54, Richmond | Profile
• Jeff Williams, 49, Lexington | Profile
• Paige Winters, 16, Leawood, Kan. | Profile
• Bryan Woodward, 39, Lafayette, La. | Profile
• JoAnn Wright, 56, Cincinnati | Profile
• Betty Young, 74, Lexington | Profile
FROM THE HERALD-LEADER - AUG. 29, 2006
Pilots noticed lack of runway lights
Survivor was at controls, says NTSB
By Jim Warren, Ryan Alessi And Brandon Ortiz, HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITERS
The pilots of Comair Flight 5191 noticed there were no lights on the runway they were using as they took off from Blue Grass Airport Sunday morning, a National Transportation Safety Board member said last night, but from all indications they never tried to stop.
Jeffery Clay
Captain was well-rested, wife says
FAMILY HAD DINNER TOGETHER NIGHT BEFORE
By Valarie Honeycutt Spears, HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITER
The wife of the Comair 5191 captain said yesterday he was a "by-the-book" pilot who flew out of Blue Grass Airport frequently and was well-rested when he boarded the plane.
Lexington police Officer Bryan Jared, left, along with safety offivers James Maupin and Jon Sallee talked to the press Monday.
First responders kept their poise
BUT TRAINING DIDN'T PREPARE THEM FOR THIS
By Amy Wilson and Cassondra Kirby, HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITERS
Many died instantly. Perhaps two, maybe more, passengers on Comair 5191 had crawled out of the plane past a mound of debris and through a large opening in the cockpit. Everything was on fire.
Coroner says most were killed by impact
GINN INITIALLY SAID THEY PROBABLY DIED IN THE FIRE
By Jack Brammer And Steve Lannen, HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITERS
Many of the 49 people killed in Sunday's plane crash in Lexington died on impact and "very few" had smoke in their lungs or windpipes, Fayette County Coroner Gary Ginn said last night.
NTSB follows set procedure
'Go team' collects evidence at scene, spends months analyzing
By Linda J. Johnson, HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITER
Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board will follow a well-scripted process to determine what happened to Flight 5191, the Comair commuter plane that crashed at Blue Grass Airport Sunday morning.
08/29/2006 12:59 AM EST
 D.C. veteran becomes NTSB's public face
By Art Jester, HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITER
Debbie Hersman, a former Democratic congressional aide, has become the public face and voice for the chief federal agency investigating Sunday's fatal crash of Comair Flight 5191.
T.G. Shuck
In-the-air expertise pays off on the air
Shuck's aviation expertise brought depth to coverage
By Rich Copley, HERALD-LEADER CULTURE WRITER
Since he was a boy growing up near Blue Grass Airport, WKYT chief meteorologist T.G. Shuck has had dual interests in aviation and weather.
Tragedy hits two Lexington schools hard
LEXINGTON CHRISTIAN, SCAPA LOSE 'FAMILY'
By Raviya H. Ismail, HERALD-LEADER EDUCATION WRITER
Nearly everyone at Lexington Christian Academy knows the Turner family. Lois Turner, a founding member of the school and currently a middle-school math teacher, has been involved there for almost three decades. Her husband, Larry Turner, was often in attendance at school activities with their three children, Molly, 25, Amy, 22, and Clay, 18, who all graduated from Lexington Christian.
'Nothing ... prepares you for this'
By Greg Kocher, HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITER
People inside and outside Lexington's Crowne Plaza Campbell House offered any help they could yesterday to relatives of the 49 people who died in the crash of Comair Flight 5191.

CHARLES BERTRAM | STAFF
An aerial photograph of the crash scene near the end of the runway 26 at Blue Grass Airport, where investigators were combing debris for evidence. The Comair Flight 5191 crashed shortly after mistakenly taking off the shorter of the airports's two runways. Yesterday, Gov. Ernie Fletcher suggested the shorter runway be be permanently closed. See larger photo
Witness: It bounced, clipped trees
Account of last seconds matches scrapes, markings
By Ryan Alessi, HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITER
As Comair Flight 5191 reached the end of Blue Grass Airport's shorter runway, it broke through an 8-foot chain-link fence, bounced off the ground and was almost airborne until it brushed a clump of trees, a witness said yesterday.
Survivor in coma; called 'a fighter'
DOCTORS AT UK ARE CONSIDERING AMPUTATION
By Steve Lannen, HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITER
The lone survivor of Sunday's Comair crash clung to life last night. James M. Polehinke, the co-pilot pulled from the burning jet's cockpit and last night confirmed by officials to be at the controls, was in a coma and on life support yesterday. Doctors were considering amputating one of his legs, family friends said.
Harsh blow reminds us of death's randomness
By Merlene Davis, HERALD-LEADER COLUMNIST
The passengers boarding Comair Flight 5191 Sunday morning didn't know they would die within minutes. They hadn't done anything wrong, hadn't contributed to their demise.
Flags ordered to half-staff
HERALD-LEADER STAFF REPORT
Gov. Ernie Fletcher yesterday ordered that flags at all state office buildings be flown at half-staff in remembrance of the 49 people who died in Sunday's plane crash in Lexington.
Fletcher praises crews
CUTS TRIP SHORT; SUGGESTS CLOSING SHORTER RUNWAY
By Ryan Alessi, HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITER
Gov. Ernie Fletcher yesterday said those who responded to the crash of Comair Flight 5191 were "remarkable and heroic." Fletcher, who cut short a trip to Germany to return to Kentucky after the crash, also said he was going to meet with family members last night to offer any assistance the state can give.
FROM THE HERALD-LEADER - AUG. 30
Tower should have had 2 controllers
FAA acknowledges it broke its own rules
By Brandon Ortiz, HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITER
The Federal Aviation Administration acknowledged yesterday that it violated its own rule by having only one air-traffic controller, rather than two, monitoring the Blue Grass Airport on Sunday.
Experts baffled that so many built-in safeguards overlooked
By Bill Estep, Linda J. Johnson And Ryan Alessi, HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITERS
It's been the question on everyone's mind since Comair Flight 5191 crashed Sunday, killing 49 people: How could the plane end up on the wrong runway?
James Polehinke
First officer emerges from induced coma but still in critical condition
By Valarie Honeycutt Spears And Steve Lannen, HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITERS
Sitting on the beach near her Sunny Isles, Fla., home on Saturday, Honey Jackson picked up her cell phone to call her son, pilot James Polehinke who lives nearby.
Airport opens memorial site
HERALD-LEADER STAFF REPORT
Blue Grass Airport has opened a temporary memorial site for the victims of Comair Flight 5191. The memorial site is near the scenic wall mural, accessible through the airport's "cell phone waiting lot."
Memorial services scheduled for victims
LOCAL GOVERNMENT, VARIOUS CHURCHES MAKE PLANS
A somber community is gathering to remember those who died in Sunday's crash of Comair Flight 5191. In Lexington, the Urban County Government is planning to hold a countywide service, according to Mayor Teresa Isaac's office. A date for the non-denominational service has not been set.
Pilots had flown out of Blue Grass several times
By Ryan Alessi And Jim Warren, HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITERS
The pilots of ill-fated Comair Flight 5191 both arrived in Lexington at least 14 hours before the crash and had flown into Blue Grass Airport several times, although not since its runway was repaved two weeks ago.

CHARLES BERTRAM | STAFF
An investigator walked yesterday along the path of scorched earth left by Comair Flight 5191 when it crashed early Sunday shortly after takeoff from Blue Grass Airport.
Scorched earth, the smell of jet fuel
Impressions from the first reporters and photographers at the site
A line of Lexington police officers stood at attention around yellow police tape, guarding the spot where 49 people lost their lives on Comair Flight 5191 early Sunday morning.

RELATED LINKS


CHARLES BERTRAM | STAFF
Officer Adrienne Thomasson of the Lexington police department guarded the wreckage Tuesday at the scene of the Sunday crash of Flight 5191.
»  More photos
Airport plan calls for moving Runway 26
By Linda J. Johnson And Michelle Ku, HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITERS
Even before a Comair plane crashed after using the wrong runway, Blue Grass Airport was moving ahead with plans to relocate that runway and separate it from the longer main runway.
Coroner did his duty knowing sister on plane
FELT HE COULD DO MORE GOOD AT CRASH SITE THAN WORRYING
By Jennifer Hewlett, HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITER
Bill Demrow had a tough decision to make Sunday morning as he drove to meet other members of a state team who were preparing to recover bodies from the wreckage of Comair Flight 5191.
Aviation law experts weigh in on potential lawsuits
COMAIR, DELTA, FAA MENTIONED AS DEFENDANTS
By Greg Kocher, HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITER
Potential defendants in any wrongful-death lawsuit filed as a result of Sunday's crash of Comair Flight 5191 include the airline and its parent company, Delta Air Lines, said attorneys who have represented victims and their families in air-crash litigation.
Identification packets assembled for 30 crash victims
MATERIALS HELP I.D. PROCESS; BODIES STILL DAYS FROM RELEASE
HERALD-LEADER STAFF REPORT
Fayette County Coroner Gary Ginn said yesterday that his office has handed 30 identification packages to the State Central Laboratory in Frankfort to help identify Flight 5191 crash victims.
Prayers for the fallen
Friends, family attend service for victims; Habitat dedication honors volunteer
By Raviya H. Ismail, HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITER
Pat Smith helped Evelyn Maison bring her adopted child from Ghana to Lexington six years ago. Maison sat through a prayer service for Smith and other victims of the Comair Flight 5191 crash at the Cathedral of Christ the King yesterday evening. And then she got down on her knees and prayed for her fallen friend.
Comair head has lived, breathed company for years
By Jim Jordan, HERALD-LEADER BUSINESS WRITER
Don Bornhorst credits his father with putting him on the road to a career in the airline industry. His dad, a teacher, gave Bornhorst 100 shares of Comair stock in the early 1980s, a few years after Comair first flew in 1977 and shortly before Don Bornhorst entered Eastern Kentucky University.
FROM THE HERALD-LEADER - AUG. 31, 2006
Day of mourning
Families visit crash site
By Ryan Alessi, Mary Meehan and Jim Warren, HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITERS
Traffic parted on Versailles Road for six Wildcat-blue buses carrying family members of the 49 victims of Comair Flight 5191. Grieving relatives who looked out the bus windows saw a long line of staff members from Southland Christian Church, holding homemade signs reading "God loves you" and "You are in our prayers."
Eric Heyer, at left, started the blog after Sunday's crash. His younger brother Kelly Heyer, at right, was on flight 5191.
08/31/2006 08:16 AM EST
 Going online to express grief
BLOGGING HELPS BROTHER OF VICTIM
By Mary Meehan, HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITER
Erik Heyer began his blog Sunday this way. "My younger brother, Kelly James Heyer, died this morning on Delta Flight 5191 as it was taking off from Lexington, Ky. Kelly was 27."
Gov. Ernie Fletcher was among those who attended the service at Centenary United Methodist Church, where candles commemorated the victims.
Prayer service draws connections far, wide
Tragedy touches many, pastor says
By Sarah Vos, HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITER
Bonnie Erdeman of Lexington didn't know anyone on Comair Flight 5191, but she went to the community prayer service at Centenary United Methodist anyway. Someone in her Sunday school class knew someone as did her sister.
Most of bodies have been identified
FAYETTE CORONER, STATE OFFICIALS IN DISPUTE OVER NUMBER
By Jack Brammer, HERALD-LEADER FRANKFORT BUREAU
All 49 victims of Sunday's plane crash in Lexington have been positively identified, and all but 11 have been turned over to the Fayette County coroner's office for release to families, Gov. Ernie Fletcher said at a news conference yesterday.

RELATED LINKS

Controller had two hours of sleep before shift
By Jim Warren And Art Jester, HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITERS
The lone air-traffic controller on duty at Blue Grass Airport when Comair Flight 5191 crashed Sunday morning had slept only two hours before starting his shift at 11:30 p.m. Saturday, the chief federal investigator into the crash said last night.
Tower rules long ignored
FAA OFFERS NO EXPLANATIONS
By Brandon Ortiz And Janet Patton, HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITERS
News that the Federal Aviation Administration had violated its own policies by failing to properly staff the Blue Grass Airport control tower the day of the deadly Comair crash created headlines around the country.
Law firms' ads don't comply with bar rules
SOLICITATIONS REMOVED FROM NEWSPAPER
By Jack Brammer And Jim Jordan, HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITERS
Three ads in yesterday's Lexington Herald-Leader from lawyers trying to contact family members of the 49 people killed in Sunday's plane crash failed to comply with state advertising rules for lawyers.
Legal ads put paper in uncomfortable spot
By Tim Kelly, HERALD-LEADER PUBLISHER
My 7-year-old grandson and my yellow lab generally seem to think I'm a pretty nice guy; it's often a tossup with my wife and kids.
Comair withholds 6 names from list
By Steve Lannen, HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITER
Fayette County Coroner Gary Ginn met last night with family members of those who died in the crash of Comair Flight 5191. Before going into a meeting with family members at the Crowne Plaza Campbell House in Lexington, Ginn said he did not know when he would complete next-of-kin notifications for each of the 49 people killed in Sunday's crash.
FROM THE HERALD-LEADER - SEPT. 1, 2006
Tower staffing inquiry urged
Congressmen split on how many controllers needed
By Janet Patton, HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITER
Leading Democrats on the House Transportation Committee have called for an inquiry into control tower staffing in the wake of "disturbing reports" that the Lexington tower was understaffed at the time of Sunday's fatal crash.
Marion C. Blakey, head of the FAA, denied contentions that there is an air controller shortage.
THE FAA CHIEF
Second controller would have been watching radar
By Brandon Ortiz, HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITER
The head of the Federal Aviation Administration said yesterday a second air traffic controller in the Blue Grass Airport tower would not necessarily have seen Comair Flight 5191 take off from the wrong runway.
All 49 bodies have been identified, released
PREPARED TO BE RELEASED TO FAMILIES
By Ryan Alessi, HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITER
The state medical examiner's office yesterday completed its final scientific tests to positively identify all 49 victims of Flight 5191, which enabled the Fayette County coroner's staff to notify the families that the bodies could be released to funeral homes.
Airport board calls meeting to 'discuss proposed litigation'
By Jim Jordan, HERALD-LEADER BUSINESS WRITER
The Blue Grass Airport board has called an emergency meeting for 8 a.m. today to "discuss proposed litigation" in closed session, but the exact reason for the meeting was not known yesterday.
MONITORING THE LAWYERS
The U.S. attorney's office warns against contacting families
HERALD-LEADER STAFF REPORT
The U.S. attorney's office has joined in warning lawyers that they will be fined if they violate federal laws barring unsolicited communications with family members of Flight 5191 crash victims.
Matter of luck
Two tell of surviving major jetliner crashes
By Barbara Isaacs, HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITER
Relatively few people live to tell about the terror of riding a jetliner as it plummets to earth. Kendra St. Charles-Hall, who is in the process of moving from Ohio to Louisville, and Lexington's Paul Fast are two of the lucky ones -- members of an exclusive group of more than 2,500 people who have survived major U.S. air crashes since 1982.
Community's compassionate response noted
By Mary Meehan, HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITER
Comair Flight 5191 is a disaster of national scope, but hometown helpers also have been on the scene. Volunteers from the Lexington chapters of the Salvation Army and American Red Cross have been dishing up meals, providing counseling, even delivering 52 toys and teddy bears to the children of victims' families.

RELATED LINKS

'A message of hope'
Service held for family members
By Jim Warren, HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITER
Forty-nine candles were lit at the Lexington Opera House yesterday morning -- each representing one of the victims of Comair Flight 5191 -- near the end of a solemn and private memorial service for the passengers and crew members lost when the plane crashed Sunday morning.
C.W. Fortney II, a pilot for Air Tran Airlines, was a passenger on Comair flight 5191
Man's dream became reality
Fortney grew up with a passion to fly
By Valarie Honeycutt Spears, HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITER
When Sarah King Fortney took her husband's pilot's uniform out of the closet this week so she could display it at his funeral, their 16-month-old son, Calvin James, kept touching it. He even tried to put it on.
'You'll never be the same again'
PILOT'S WIFE PRAISES SURGEON'S CARE
By Art Jester, HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITER
The University of Kentucky surgeon who is coordinating medical care for the lone survivor from the crash of Comair Flight 5191always warns the severely injured.
Comair's care team quick to activate
VOLUNTEERS SERVE AS LIAISONS, PERSONAL HELPERS
By Mary Meehan And Ryan Alessi, HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITERS
The Rev. T.H. Peoples has spent five decades witnessing life's struggles firsthand. "You can tell when someone is with you and when they are genuine," said Peoples, who is helping the families of cousins Priscilla Johnson of Lexington and JoAnn Wright of Cincinnati.
FROM THE HERALD-LEADER - SEPT. 2, 2006
Past incidents may hold clues
Air safety reports show runway mistakes in 1990s
By Linda J. Johnson and Jim Warren, HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITERS
Pilots have inadvertently taxied to the wrong runway at Blue Grass Airport at least three times since 1993. On two occasions, either the pilot or someone in the control tower caught the mistake.
Joshua Adams said the suit was filed to find out why the crash happened.
2 victims' families file first lawsuits
VENUES: FAYETTE CIRCUIT COURT, FEDERAL COURT IN COVINGTON
By Steve Lannen and Jennifer Hewlett, HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITERS
Two lawsuits were filed yesterday by families of Comair Flight 5191 victims, the first of what attorneys say will be many against the airline and government agencies in Sunday's crash that killed 49 people at Blue Grass Airport.
Wayne Turner smiled as he recalled memories of his brother from their childhood.
'It'll feel better when it quits hurting'
By Mary Meehan And Amy Wilson, HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITERS
White linen handkerchiefs were placed in the chairs of Larry Turner's wife, two daughters and son before his funeral, because at times like these people forget the things they'll need the most.
Clark, Bobbie Benton left a legacy
By Greg Kocher, CENTRAL KENTUCKY BUREAU
Five white doves were released from baskets at the conclusion of yesterday's funeral for Clark and Bobbie Benton, two of the 49 people who died in Sunday's crash of Comair Flight 5191.
Michael Ryan
Michael Ryan: Wife thought she had 'dodged a bullet' after his bypass surgery
His gregarious nature, Irish accent and stubborn persistence made Michael Ryan the perfect closer. Ryan, 55, left Ireland in 1981 and became a successful stockbroker in Kentucky, where he helped found one of Lexington's first locally owned investment firms.
Mother watched daughter boarding; she had planned to be on same flight
By Sarah Vos, HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITER
Joan Winters didn't hug her daughter before the girl boarded Comair Flight 5191. "I still have second thoughts about not hugging her," Winters said yesterday in a telephone interview.
UK official hailed for strength, faith, humility
By Mary Meehan, HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITER
When Larry Turner's father died, Turner wrote in his journal that his dad had long been his rock. Clay Turner tearfully used those same words yesterday about his own dad, Larry, who died in the crash of Flight 5191. He prays he lives up to the standard both men set.
WRECKAGE LEAVES LEXINGTON

CHARLES BERTRAM | STAFF
Some of the wreckage from Comair Flight 5191 left Lexington yesterday southbound on I-75, headed for Atlanta, where it will undergo further investigation.
Ad flap prompts law panel's investigation
By Jim Jordan And Jack Brammer, HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITERS
The Kentucky Bar Association named a special task force yesterday to look into complaints of improper conduct by lawyers who put ads in the Herald-Leader on Wednesday to make contact with families of Comair Flight 5191 crash victims.
TO OUR READERS
By Timothy M. Kelly, PRESIDENT & PUBLISHER
As a matter of policy, the Lexington Herald-Leader regularly publishes ads for businesses, services and products we believe are legal. The decision isn't based on whether we agree with them.
Errors are reported, but never eliminated
SYSTEM CAN'T PREVENT HUMANS' DISTRACTIONS
By Linda J. Johnson, HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITER
"It was my first (position) of the day. I had just come from my daughter's birthday party and my mind was not on ATC," or air traffic control.
Marion C. Blakey, head of the FAA, denied contentions that there is an air controller shortage.
Controllers say they'll have to work when tired
THEY CITE NEW FAA CONTRACT THAT TAKES EFFECT THIS WEEKEND
By Leslie Miller, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Air traffic controllers said yesterday they will be forced to work even when they're tired after the Federal Aviation Administration imposes a new contract this weekend.
Fletcher returns to Germany
GOVERNOR TO ATTEND EQUESTRIAN CLOSING
By Jack Brammer, HERALD-LEADER FRANKFORT BUREAU
Gov. Ernie Fletcher, who returned to Kentucky from Germany last Monday after the crash of Comair Flight 5191, left the state yesterday to return to Germany.
FROM THE HERALD-LEADER - SEPT. 3, 2006
Looking beyond the sorrow
A personal connection to ones we never met
By Rob Kaiser, SPECIAL TO THE HERALD-LEADER
So many numbers, none adding up. Flight 5191. Runway 22 or 26. One wrong turn and 49 people dead. But why?
Pat Smith gave an interview to Bill Goodman for KET� show One to One two weeks ago.
Eternal Habitat
Tireless volunteer Pat Smith is laid to rest
By Sarah Vos, HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITER
Along with bread and wine, a hammer and an African scepter were brought to the communion table at Pat Smith's funeral yesterday. Smith, 58, died last Sunday with 48 others when Comair Flight 5191 crashed near Blue Grass Airport. He was returning to Gulfport, Miss., where he was managing a project to build 13 houses for victims of Hurricane Katrina.
Bobby Meaux
Sports fan Meaux was full of smiles
By Raviya H. Ismail, HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITER
Bobby Meaux was remembered yesterday for his laughter, flirtatious nature and passion for sports. Cousin Curtis Dunn, who said a prayer during the funeral service at Harrodsburg Christian Church, said the family is still reeling.
Fenton Dawson
Dawson: Someone you 'need to get to know'
By Raviya H. Ismail, HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITER
Fenton Dawson was the kind of man who spent an entire day putting together a swingset for his children, Maddie, 9, and Chase, 6. He was the kind of man who played wheelchair basketball with a close friend, then shocked the crowd by standing up.
Combses' love goes back to school days
By Jamie Gumbrecht, HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITER
Homer and Diane Combs were remembered for their individuality at their funeral yesterday -- Homer, the outdoorsman and proud father, Diane the meticulous wife, friend and mom.

DAVID STEPHENSON | STAFF
Michael Gobb, director of Blue Grass Airport, wiped away tears while visiting a memorial at the airport honoring all who died on Comair Flight 5191.
Regional pilots feel intense pressures
SHORT RUNS, SMALL JETS MEAN MORE TAKEOFFS, BUT FOR LOWER SALARIES
By Karla Ward, HERALD-LEADER BUSINESS WRITER
For Scott Sickler, an Atlantic Southeast Airlines pilot from Atlanta, long hours and lower pay than he expected have taken their toll.
Tim Snoddy
Tim Snoddy's son: 'We'll party in your honor'
By Sarah Vos, HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITER
A pair of leather riding boots stood in front of the flowers amassed at Trinity Hill United Methodist Church for Tim Snoddy. Snoddy, 51, died when Comair Flight 5191 crashed outside Blue Grass Airport.
Carole Bizzack
Carole Bizzack: A glorious mountain
By Jamie Gumbrecht, HERALD-LEADER CULTURE WRITER
It was chilly and gray outside Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, where lines of police cars and a horse-drawn hearse waited at the funeral of Carole Bizzack.
FROM THE HERALD-LEADER - SEPT. 4, 2006
A September mourning
London begins to say goodbye to lost neighbors
By Jim Warren And John Stamper, HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITERS
More than 1,000 people gathered here yesterday to pay their final respects to Jonathan and Scarlett Parsley Hooker, who seemed made for each other but who died in the crash of Comair Flight 5191 on Aug. 27, only hours after they were married.
The Rev. T.H. Peoples Jr. of Historic Pleasant Green Missionary Baptist Church urged children to be sensitive to others.
All over town, focus is on loss of loved ones
By Frank Lockwood And Jack Brammer, HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITERS
Trying to cope with the nation's worst air disaster in five years, many people yesterday turned to God for refuge and strength. The message at many churches throughout Central Kentucky focused on the Aug. 27 crash of Comair Flight 5191 at Blue Grass Airport that killed all but one of the 50 people aboard.
'A little part of him remains behind'
By Valarie Honeycutt Spears, HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITER
There was a letter marked "Special Delivery" addressed to Clarence Wayne Fortney II -- residence: Heaven. In it, Wayne Fortney promised his fallen son C.W. that "Every morning at 6:07 a.m. ... 'I'll be talking to you.'"
A PAUSE TO REMEBER

MARK CORNELISON | STAFF
Fans in Louisville paused for several seconds of silence on Sunday night to honor the victims of Flight 5191.
Players, fans take a break in honor of crash victims
By Steve Lannen, HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITER
There was plenty of noise last night at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium. Bass-thumping hip-hop shook the speakers during warm-ups. Then came the anthem rock followed by a University of Kentucky band rendition of On! On! U of K.
FROM THE HERALD-LEADER - SEPT. 5, 2006
So close to home
Many at benefit concert knew or almost knew victims
By Rich Copley, HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITER
Once Greg Huff heard about the crash of Flight 5191, he wondered how long it would be until he found out someone he knew was on the ill-fated plane.
Judy Ann Rains was owner of K-9 Design Pet Grooming.
Town of 30,000 empty without 5
RICHMOND'S LOSS
By Amy Wilson And Lee Mueller, HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITERS
Some past-their-prime white mums have faded ungraciously in cloudy water in a dog-treat bucket outside Judy Rains' K-9 Design Pet Grooming. The sign outside the door still reads: "We will be closed for vacation, Aug. 28-Sept. 6."
The survivor
Polehinke breathing on own now
James Polehinke, first officer on Comair Flight 5191, was taken off life support and is breathing on his own, said Jay Blanton, a University of Kentucky spokesman. He is listed in serious condition at UK Hospital. Polehinke was the only survivor of the Aug. 27 crash at Blue Grass Airport that killed 49. Polehinke suffered a collapsed lung and fractures to his face, spine, pelvis, breastbone, ribs, left leg, right foot and right thumb.
09/06/2006 09:15 AM EST
 An extended faily begins it goodbyes
By Rich Copley, HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITER
Gregory Alan Threet was remembered yesterday by his family, a group that transcended blood relations. Members of Threet's college fraternity, uniformed Cub Scouts from the troop he led and co-workers gathered -- along with his wife, Anita, and their children -- at Cathedral of Christ the King to mourn the 35-year-old.
Mike Finley
'He loved work more than anyone I know'
By John Stamper, HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITER
It was fitting, friends and family said, that Mike Finley was buried on Labor Day. It seems few have ever gotten so much joy from working so hard in life. Finley, 52, was owner of three Finley's Fun Centers and a variety of other businesses. He was on his way to a national roller-skating convention in Nevada when he died on Comair Flight 5191 on Aug. 27.
Rebecca Adams
A mother and a friend worth emulating
By Beth Musgrave, HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITER
Rebecca Adams was a great cook, but she would never admit it. She was a lover of words, a wizard at crossword puzzles. "That was something she would admit to," joked Christopher Adams, her son.
BENEFIT CONCERT FOR FAMILIES OF FLIGHT 5191 VICTIMS

DAVID PERRY | STAFF
Georgetown's Shoveltooth was amonth the bands taht performed Monday at a concert at A1A to benefit families of the victims of Comair Flight 5191. STORY
Betty Young
Young loved to entertain, help others
By Cassondra Kirby, HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITER
Thomas Butler almost made it. He'd been talking about his mother, Betty Joyce Young, for about 10 minutes without tears. He mentioned the many clubs and civic organizations she was involved in.
Marcie Thomason
Denied a wedding celebration, they celebrate a young life lovingly lived
By Beth Musgrave, HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITER
They weren't supposed to be here now. They were supposed to be here Sept. 30 to witness the wedding of Marcie Reynolds Thomason to Charles Cutchin Powell Jr.
Michael Ryan
Siblings were to come on vacation, instead attend funeral
By Ryan Alessi, HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITER
Five of Michael Ryan's seven brothers and sisters had planned for months to make the trip from their homes in Ireland to his in Kentucky on Labor Day weekend.
FROM THE HERALD-LEADER - SEPT. 6, 2006
'An outpouring of love'
COUNCIL HOSTS MOMENT OF SILENCE
By Michelle Ku, HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITER
The silence was expected to last one minute. Instead, the Urban County Council chambers quieted for more than four minutes. More than 50 people in the room stood as an honor guard of Lexington police officers presented the American and state flags.
FAA reminds flight crews to know runways
By Janet Patton, HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITER
WASHINGTON -- In the wake of the crash of Comair Flight 5191 in Lexington, the Federal Aviation Administration has issued a safety alert reminding flight crews of the procedures for taxiing and making sure they are on the right runway.
2004 memo warned about staff shortages
By Jeffrey McMurray, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Nearly two years before the fatal crash of Comair Flight 5191, a control tower supervisor at the Lexington airport reported staff shortages in the tower that "can cost lives."
Regional airports in slowdown
FEWER FLIGHTS, FLIERS AT BLUE GRASS IN '06
By Scott Sloan, HERALD-LEADER BUSINESS WRITER
It was already a bad year for Blue Grass Airport. Passenger counts were down. Nearly one-fifth of the airport's daily scheduled flights had vanished.
Protective order granted in Flight 5191 lawsuit
By Brandon Ortiz, HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITER
A Fayette judge granted a protective order yesterday barring destruction of evidence in the Comair Flight 5191 crash. In another development yesterday, the Kentucky Bar Association said it is investigating complaints filed against trial lawyers in North Carolina and Texas.
Habitat creates Pat Smith fund
By Beverly Fortune, HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITER
Habitat for Humanity announced yesterday the creation of an endowment fund in memory of volunteer Pat Smith. The fund's goal is to raise $1 million.
Keeneland Chaplain Michael Powers called it a celebration, not a funeral, for Dan Mallory yesterday in the Fasig-Tipton Pavilion. Mallory, the Meadow Haven Farm manager and regular consignor to Fasig-Tipon and Keeneland sales, was aboard Flight 5191.
Service shows respect for horseman Mallory
By Art Jester And Alicia Wincze, HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITERS
Dan P. Mallory's memorial service was 25 minutes late starting yesterday because mourners kept arriving and signing the book of condolences -- a sign of the respect in which the Bourbon County horseman was held.
FROM THE HERALD-LEADER - SEPT. 7, 2006