Post by ideamark on Aug 27, 2006 16:16:04 GMT -5
www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060827/NEWS01/60827017/1006
Pilot of crashed commuter jet has Vineland ties
Sunday, August 27, 2006
Gannett New Jersey
LEXINGTON, Ky.
A commuter jet piloted by a Vineland High School graduate crashed while taking off here this morning, killing 49 of the 50 people on board.
Authorities said the lone survivor, a Comair crewmember, was in critical condition.
Officials identified the crewmembers as Capt. Jeffrey Clay, who was raised in Vineland and hired by Comair in 1999; first officer James M. Polehinke, who was hired in 2002; and flight attendant Kelly Heyer, hired in 2004.
The only survivor is believed to be the flight's first officer, airport director Michael Gobb said.
Clay's family was headed from Vineland to Kentucky this afternoon.
"He was strong. He was tough. He was dedicated," said Clay's brother, James Clay Sr. "He was everything that most people look for in themselves. He had it all."
Clay was an experienced pilot and had been flying the Comair plane for a while.
Clay, 35, is survived by his wife and two young daughters.
He now lives in Kentucky and was back in Vineland most recently just two weeks ago for a family birthday.
Clay was the captain of the 1988 Vineland High School Fighting Clan wrestling team that won the Group IV sectional championship.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Pilot of crashed commuter jet has Vineland ties
Sunday, August 27, 2006
Gannett New Jersey
LEXINGTON, Ky.
A commuter jet piloted by a Vineland High School graduate crashed while taking off here this morning, killing 49 of the 50 people on board.
Authorities said the lone survivor, a Comair crewmember, was in critical condition.
Officials identified the crewmembers as Capt. Jeffrey Clay, who was raised in Vineland and hired by Comair in 1999; first officer James M. Polehinke, who was hired in 2002; and flight attendant Kelly Heyer, hired in 2004.
The only survivor is believed to be the flight's first officer, airport director Michael Gobb said.
Clay's family was headed from Vineland to Kentucky this afternoon.
"He was strong. He was tough. He was dedicated," said Clay's brother, James Clay Sr. "He was everything that most people look for in themselves. He had it all."
Clay was an experienced pilot and had been flying the Comair plane for a while.
Clay, 35, is survived by his wife and two young daughters.
He now lives in Kentucky and was back in Vineland most recently just two weeks ago for a family birthday.
Clay was the captain of the 1988 Vineland High School Fighting Clan wrestling team that won the Group IV sectional championship.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
