‘49 Doves’ documentary on Comair Flight 5191 premieres in Lexington

A documentary about the 2006 Comair Flight 5191 crash, titled “49 Doves,” premiered in Lexington, according to WKYT. The film centers on the moments leading up to the fatal accident on Aug. 27, 2006, when the aircraft departed from the wrong runway and the flight ended shortly after takeoff.

Comair Flight 5191 carried 49 people, including 47 passengers and two crew members, and the crash killed all but one. WKYT reported that the only survivor was first officer James Polehinke, whose perspective anchors the documentary’s account of the disaster.

The crash occurred at a time when aviation safety reviews and investigative findings were still shaping how crews, airports, and airlines approached runway markings, procedures, and departure clearances. The documentary’s framing returns to that operational breakdown, using the story of what went wrong to examine the sequence of events that led to loss of life.

WKYT’s report said the documentary premiere in Lexington brought renewed attention to the families and community members affected by the tragedy, which remains a reference point in Kentucky aviation safety discussions. The film’s title, “49 Doves,” reflects the number of people aboard the flight, tying the production to the scale of the loss.

In the coverage leading up to the Lexington premiere, the documentary was described as revisiting the crash story and the aftermath in a manner intended to memorialize those who died while highlighting Polehinke’s survival. The film also addresses how the events of that day have been understood over time, including through public reporting and official investigations.

Following the Lexington premiere, additional screenings and audience events were expected to follow, WKYT reported, as the documentary moves into wider circulation. Viewers who attend future showings will be able to engage with the crash history through the documentary format and Polehinke’s account as portrayed in the film.

Because this story is based on a single local report, details such as the specific theater or event schedule were not confirmed in the available material. The documentary’s content, including what specific scenes are shown and what statements are made, likewise should be treated as per the film itself and not as independent verification of investigative findings beyond what was summarized in the report.