The Comair Flight 5191 Crash

A Calm Morning Shrouded in Tragedy

As dawn broke over Blue Grass Airport in Lexington, Kentucky, on August 27, 2006, the day began like any other for the crew of Comair Flight 5191. The Bombardier CRJ-100ER sat ready on the tarmac, awaiting the 47 passengers who were eager to reach their destination—Atlanta, Georgia. The crew, led by Captain Jeffrey Clay and First Officer James Polehinke, was tasked with safely guiding the aircraft on this short, routine flight.

Both pilots were experienced, with thousands of flight hours under their belts. But this morning, things were different. The two pilots had never flown together before, and the early hour meant that they were fighting the fatigue that often comes with predawn departures. As they prepared for takeoff, the quiet tension of the early morning enveloped the airport—a silence that would soon be shattered by tragedy.

A Critical Mistake

Blue Grass Airport was undergoing significant construction, which included changes to the runway markings and lighting. These alterations, though temporary, added an extra layer of complexity to what should have been a straightforward departure. At 6:06 AM, the flight was cleared for takeoff on Runway 22, the main runway at the airport. But in the predawn darkness, with only dim lighting to guide them, Captain Clay and First Officer Polehinke made a fatal mistake—they turned onto the shorter Runway 26 instead.

Runway 26, typically used for smaller aircraft, was only 3,500 feet long—half the length of Runway 22. Unbeknownst to the pilots, this runway was far too short for the CRJ-100ER to reach the necessary speed for a safe takeoff. Yet, without cross-checking their position, the crew began their takeoff roll, completely unaware of the danger ahead.

As the aircraft sped down the runway, the pilots likely realized too late that something was terribly wrong. The plane desperately tried to lift off but simply didn’t have enough space. The end of the runway approached rapidly, and at 6:07 AM, the plane veered off the pavement, hurtling into a field just beyond the airport’s perimeter. In a matter of seconds, the aircraft crashed, striking trees and a fence before bursting into flames.

The Aftermath: A Sole Survivor

Emergency responders rushed to the scene, but the situation was dire. The wreckage was engulfed in flames, with smoke billowing into the early morning sky. Miraculously, one person survived the crash—First Officer James Polehinke. He was pulled from the burning wreckage by firefighters, but his injuries were catastrophic. He suffered severe brain damage, lost a leg, and was left paralyzed from the waist down. Tragically, the other 49 people on board, including Captain Clay, perished in the crash.

The aftermath of the accident was devastating for the families of the victims, the survivors, and the aviation community. How could such an error happen? How could an experienced crew make such a critical mistake? These were the questions on everyone’s mind as investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) arrived on the scene.

Investigating the Cause

The NTSB's investigation uncovered a series of errors and oversights that led to the disaster. The primary cause was clear: pilot error. The crew failed to verify their runway before takeoff—a basic but crucial step in aviation safety. This oversight, combined with the confusion caused by the airport’s construction and altered signage, created the perfect storm for tragedy.

The investigation also revealed that the pilots had violated the sterile cockpit rule, a regulation that prohibits non-essential conversation during critical phases of flight, like takeoff. This violation, coupled with fatigue, likely contributed to their lack of focus and situational awareness.

A Legacy of Lessons Learned

In the wake of the crash, the aviation industry took swift action to prevent a similar tragedy from occurring. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) implemented stricter requirements for runway verification, ensuring that crews double-check their position before every takeoff. Additionally, airports across the country reviewed and improved their runway lighting and signage, particularly during periods of construction.

For Comair, the crash of Flight 5191 marked the beginning of the end. The airline faced multiple lawsuits from the victims' families and struggled with the lasting impact on its reputation. In 2012, just six years after the accident, Comair ceased operations entirely.

As for First Officer James Polehinke, the sole survivor, his life was forever changed. He faced years of rehabilitation, grappling not only with his physical injuries but also with the emotional toll of being the only one to survive. Though he has largely avoided the public eye, his survival stands as a poignant reminder of the fragile line between life and death in aviation.

A Tragic Reminder

The story of Comair Flight 5191 serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of vigilance, communication, and strict adherence to procedures in aviation. The crash was a tragedy that claimed 49 lives and deeply affected the survivors, but it also led to important changes that have made flying safer for everyone.

In the end, the legacy of Flight 5191 is not just one of loss but of lessons learned—lessons that continue to shape the future of aviation safety, ensuring that such a disaster never happens again.