The pilot killed in Tuesday morning’s plane crash in neighboring DeKalb County, Alabama, was a longtime fixture in the region’s aviation community.

Authorities identified the victim as 62-year-old Douglas “Doug” Emge. The Federal Aviation Administration says Emge was the only person aboard the Van’s RV-4 when it crashed in a field near Albertville at approximately 6:50 AM Tuesday. The crash occurred near the 4700 block of County Road 3 in the Whiton community, behind the Whiton water tank.

The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation, with the FAA also involved. Officials have not released a cause for the crash.

In a statement following Emge’s death, the City of Albertville described him as a major part of the history and success of Albertville Regional Airport.

For more than 30 years, Emge operated Albertville Aviation, the company he founded and solely owned. As the airport’s fixed-base operator, he became a familiar face to pilots, flight crews and passengers using the city-owned airport.

Through Albertville Aviation, Emge helped travelers with fuel, rental cars, lodging, meals and other services, while working closely with airport staff to make visitors feel welcome. The city credited him with helping build the airport’s reputation for service and hospitality.

Emge was also remembered as a Marine veteran, a pilot who loved flying, and a devoted husband, father and grandfather.

Albertville Aviation itself offers a range of general aviation services at Albertville Regional Airport, including fuel, hangar and tiedown space, flight planning, rental cars and pilot facilities.

The City of Albertville said Emge’s influence extended well beyond the airport and into the wider Sand Mountain region.

The statement closed by saying that while Emge had “flown west on his final flight,” the mark he left on Albertville Regional Airport, the city and the region would not soon be forgotten.