Updated: Victim in deadly Kentucky plane crash was an ‘influential’ doctor, some say
.jpg "A 26-year-old Bradenton woman was killed over the weekend while driving in Hendry County.")
A man has died after a plane crashed into a field in Graves County Monday evening, according to the Graves County sheriff’s office.
The crash occurred just north of Interstate 69, near the Mayfield Graves County Airport, according to the sheriff’s office. The pilot was killed. Graves County Sheriff Jon Hayden said the aircraft was a “very small plane,” and the man who died was the only one in it when it crashed.
The victim was identified late Tuesday as Henry D. Babenco, a 60-year-old Paducah resident. Commenters on Facebook identified Babenco as an “influential” doctor.
“He was influential in me going to anesthesia school,” Amy Owens Lockwood said in a comment. “Was supportive and encouraging through school and always wanted to teach and encourage. He was a good man and I learned a great deal from him. He will be missed. God bless his family.”
Others called him a great doctor and wonderful teacher.
“He was the best,” Della Reagan said. “Can’t imagine life without him!”
The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board were on scene Tuesday morning to investigate the cause of the crash, Hayden said. The sheriff’s office was there to assist the investigation. Hayden said it was too early to know the cause.
Other agencies assisted the investigation, including the Mayfield Fire Department, Mayfield-Graves County EMS, Mayfield-Graves County Fire and Rescue, Kentucky State Police, the Graves County coroner’s office, Graves County Emergency Management, and the Mayfield Graves County Airport Board and management.
This story was originally published February 23, 2021 at 9:15 AM.