Douglas Emge, 62-Year-Old Pilot, Dies After Small Plane Crash In DeKalb County, Alabama, On September 15, 2026
Douglas Emge, 62, died on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, after a small single-engine Van’s RV-4 aircraft went down in a wooded area of DeKalb County, Alabama.
Authorities said Emge piloted the plane and was the only person aboard when it came down near Albertville at about 6:50 a.m.
The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office reported that the aircraft went down near the 4700 block of County Road 3, behind the Whitton water tank.
Deputies and local first responders reached the scene, and DeKalb County Emergency Management Agency Director Michael Posey confirmed that one person died.
The Federal Aviation Administration responded, and the National Transportation Safety Board was expected to review the circumstances surrounding the flight.
Officials asked the public to stay away from the area while crews worked at the scene.
Douglas Emge leaves behind a grieving family, friends, and community members who will remember the life, presence, and moments shared with those nearby.
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