Was Flying His Restored Curtiss Jenny When It Went Down

The aviation community has lost another of its icons. A JN4D Curtiss Jenny has gone down at Candler Field in Pike County, GA, resulting in the fatal injury of the two occupants. One of those on board was Candler Field Principal Ron Alexander (pictured), according to the Pike County Journal-Reporter, radio station WKEU and other sources.

An FAA official was also aboard the plane. That person has not been identified, according to reports.

The accident occurred at about 5:30 Thursday evening. Witnesses said that the Jenny had just taken off and appeared to be on fire just before impacting terrain. First responders from the PIke County Sheriff's Department and Pike County Fire Department responded to the airport, but were unable to save the two people on board.

According to his bio posted to the Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame website, Alexander was an air force pilot and former instructor pilot for Delta Airlines. He founded the Alexander Aeroplane Company in 1979 in Griffin, GA, which became a major supplier of materials for airplane builders and restorers. He also owned the Stits Poly-Fiber Company for several years.

Alexander later founded the Candler Field Museum to document the history of the old Atlanta Airport, which had originally been named Candler Field. The museum is located at the Peach State Aerodrome, where the accident occurred.

Alexander was inducted into the Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame in 2013.

Ron was a great friend to ANN, and all of us here are keeping Ron and his family in our thoughts during this difficult time.

(Image from Facebook)

FMI: www.ntsb.gov