Latest news with #ScottsdaleAirport
USA Today
28-02-2025
- Automotive
- USA Today
NTSB report reveals new details on private plane crash in Arizona
NTSB report reveals new details on private plane crash in Arizona The private jet owned by Mötley Crüe singer Vince Neil that was involved in a deadly crash in Arizona earlier this month appeared to experience a landing gear malfunction, a preliminary report released Thursday by the National Transportation Safety Board said. The report said the plane's left landing gear was not in its normal position when it was seen on Feb. 10 descending to Scottsdale Airport, where it crashed into another private aircraft, killing 78-year-old pilot Joie Vitosky and injuring four others. Eight months before the deadly crash, the same plane was involved in a "landing mishap," the report said. On June 20, 2024, the plane made a hard landing just short of a runway in McAlester, Oklahoma, before bouncing several times, causing the left main landing gear's tires to burst. Neil became the owner of the jet within the last several months, after the landing mishap in June, the report said. The Learjet's owner before Neil hired a mechanic who performed a hard-landing inspection. Investigators interviewed the mechanic who said he used a maintenance manual for all the work he performed. More: Pilot killed in Arizona plane crash was veteran who flew for 60 years, daughter says The report added that the Learjet's flight time and maintenance cycles since the hard landing took place remains unknown. However, a mechanic who completed a landing gear servicing in December told investigators "nothing appeared unusual," but noted that the left landing gear "took an excessive amount of grease." On the day of the deadly crash, the flight crew did not make any radio calls about the plane's landing gear not working properly. The report added that the Learjet was not equipped with reverse thrusters and its drag chute was not deployed. An official cause behind the landing gear's failure likely won't be known until the investigation's final report is published. Such reports can take between one to two years before being made available. According to the report, the plane departed from Florida on Feb. 10 before stopping to refuel in Austin, Texas, and heading for Scottsdale. Just after the crash, the report states, the right-seated passenger regained consciousness and woke up the left-seated passenger, who was thrown forward in the passenger cabin. The right-seated passenger then used the emergency exit to get our of the plane before turning back to retrieve the other passenger. Police identified the one fatal victim as Vitosky, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who had decades of flying experience. Neil's girlfriend, Rain Hannah Andreani, 43, is the only person on board the plane who has been publicly identified other than Vitosky. Neil was not on the plane at the time of the crash. The NTSB lists 15 fatal aircraft incidents in the Scottsdale area and four incidents involving a serious injury, with the earliest going back to the 1970s. The last fatal crash at the Scottsdale Airport was in 2018. A pilot, student pilot and four passengers were killed after the plane crashed shortly after takeoff.
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Yahoo
Preliminary report: Landing gear appeared to fail in fatal Scottsdale plane crash
The National Transportation Safety Board released the preliminary report on its investigation into a deadly plane crash at Scottsdale Airport, giving new details into what may have transpired. The report lays out how Learjet 35A owned by Mötley Crüe singer Vince Neil crashed into another aircraft after its landing gear appeared to fail, causing it to veer off the runway, killing a pilot and injuring several others. According to the report, the plane departed from Florida on Feb. 10 before stopping to refuel in Austin, Texas. It then took off for Scottsdale where the fatal collision occurred. Investigators reviewed a video from surveillance cameras and witnesses which showed the plane's left landing gear "trailing aft from its normal position." The report states the plane began veering left, leaving the runway before colliding with a parked Gulfstream G200 at around 2:38 p.m. It added that the Learjet was not equipped with reverse thrusters and its drag chute was not deployed. The airport's emergency response fire truck responded in a little over two minutes and sprayed fire retardant on the Gulfstream about five minutes later while the Scottsdale Fire Department arrived at roughly 2:47 p.m. The airport fire truck later sprayed fire retardant on the Learjet's right engine, which was still running, to shut it down. The report states the right-seated passenger regained consciousness first and woke up the left-seated passenger who was thrown forward in the passenger cabin. The right-seated passenger then used the emergency exit at around 2:48 p.m. and exited the plane carrying two small dogs before turning back to retrieve the other passenger. The report notes that the same plane and flight crew had a "landing mishap" on June 20, 2024, in McAlester, Oklahoma, where the plane landed hard just before getting to the runway and bounced several times, causing both of the left main landing gear's tires to burst. The report states the Learjet's owner hired a mechanic who worked on it for the previous owner to perform a hard-landing inspection. Investigators interviewed the mechanic who said he used a maintenance manual for all the work he performed. It added that the Learjet's flight time and maintenance cycles since the 2024 hard landing took place was unknown. The flight crew did not make any radio calls about the plane's landing gear not working properly. An official cause behind the landing gear's failure likely won't be known until the investigation's final report is published. Such reports can take between one to two years before being made available. Read: Scottsdale crash aviation investigation preliminary report Police identified the fatality as 78-year-old pilot Joie Vitosky. Vitosky's daughter, Jana Schertzer, told The Arizona Republic that Vitosky began flying after joining the U.S. Marine Corps where he served several tours in the Vietnam War. Rain Hannah Andreani, 43, is the only person on board the planes who has been publicly identified other than Vitosky. Andreani is the girlfriend of Mötley Crüe lead singer Vince Neil. Neil owned the Learjet, according to a filing with the Wyoming secretary of state. He was not on board, according to the vocalist's legal representative Worrick Robinson IV, who posted a statement about the crash to the band's social media. The NTSB lists 15 fatal aircraft incidents in the Scottsdale area and four incidents involving a serious injury, with the earliest going back to the 1970s. Two of the serious injuries involved student pilots, with one pilot having a hard landing after the plane's engine lost power and another with a pilot having a forced landing after misjudging their altitude and clearance, according to NTSB reports. The last fatal crash at the Scottsdale Airport was in 2018. A pilot, student pilot and four passengers were killed after the plane crashed shortly after takeoff. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Report: Fatal Scottsdale plane crash had previous 'landing mishap'
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
From DC to Arizona: Why are so many planes crashing in 2025?
Aviation disasters seem to be happening more frequently in recent weeks. It started with a deadly midair collision of an American Airlines jet and a military helicopter on Jan. 29 near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Washington, D.C. The crash, in which 67 people died, brought greater scrutiny of nationwide air traffic control staffing, crowded airspace at the D.C. airport and past midair near misses, including in Phoenix. Barely two weeks later, there was a fatal Feb. 10 crash at Scottsdale Airport. A Learjet owned by Mötley Crüe frontman Vince Neil crashed into a Gulfstream jet. The pilot of the Learjet was killed. The recent wave of accidents has frightened air travelers, leaving many wondering whether it is safe to fly. Despite the accidents, aviation safety experts say flying is the safest mode of travel, especially on U.S. commercial airlines. Here's a look at the plane crashes involving U.S. flights in 2025 so far. A regional CRJ-900 jet crashed while landing and flipped upside down at Toronto Pearson International Airport about 2:45 p.m. Eastern time. The Delta Air Lines flight operated by regional subsidiary Endeavor Air was flying from Minneapolis. All 80 passengers were evacuated and survived, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada is investigating. Early reports suggest windy and snowy conditions may have played a role in the crash. A Learjet 35A crashed into a parked Gulfstream 200 jet about 2:45 p.m. Arizona time after landing at Scottsdale Airport. An initial statement from the FAA said the Learjet "veered off the runway after landing." Four people were aboard the Learjet and one was aboard the Gulfstream at the time of the crash, according to the FAA. The pilot of the Learjet, 78-year-old Joie Vitosky, died. The Learjet is owned by Vince Neil, lead singer of the heavy metal band Mötley Crüe. A statement from a representative of Neil said he was not aboard the plane at the time of the crash. The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating. Early reports suggest the Learjet's landing gear failed during landing; the reason for the failure will likely be part of the investigation. A Cessna 208B Grand Caravan aircraft carrying 10 people disappeared while flying from Unalakleet to Nome in Alaska, and the FAA issued a search and rescue alert notice about 3:20 p.m. for the flight operated by Bering Air. Authorities in Alaska recovered the wreckage of the plane and the bodies of all 10 people onboard. Officials with the U.S. Coast Guard said radar data showed the plane experienced a rapid loss of altitude and speed. The investigation is ongoing. A Learjet 55 air ambulance carrying six Mexican nationals crashed in Philadelphia about 6:30 p.m. Eastern time, shortly after taking off from Northeast Philadelphia Airport. The plane was on its way to Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri, according to the FAA. Six people on the plane and one person on the ground were killed, according to Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker. About 20 people were injured and the impact of the crash damaged nearby homes. The cause of the crash is unknown. The NTSB's investigation remains ongoing. A CRJ-700 regional jet from PSA Airlines operating an American Airlines flight from Wichita, Kansas, collided midair with an Army Black Hawk helicopter about 9 p.m. Eastern time while approaching the runway at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. All 67 people aboard both aircraft died. In a Feb. 14 briefing, NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy said two key factors might explain why the collision happened: Data showed key radio transmissions not reaching the crew of the helicopter. The helicopter flew at an altitude of 278 feet, above the maximum altitude for its flight path. Homendy said the NTSB was not yet sure whether faulty data was responsible for the helicopter crew flying at a higher altitude. The investigation by the FAA and NTSB is ongoing. What to know: It's been a week since the deadly Scottsdale plane crash Michael Salerno is an award-winning journalist who's covered travel and tourism since 2014. His work as The Arizona Republic's consumer travel reporter aims to help readers navigate the stresses of traveling and get the best value for their money on their vacations. He can be reached at Subscribe to today. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Why are so many planes crashing? What flyers need to know
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Yahoo
Dallas veteran was pilot killed in Arizona plane crash involving singer Vince Neil's jet
The Brief 78-year-old Joe Vitosky has been identified as the pilot killed in a plane crash in Scottsdale, Arizona. Vitosky was flying Mötley Crüe singer Vince Neil's jet from Austin, Texas, to Arizona on Monday when it crashed with a parked Gulfstream Jet. Vitosky was killed. Three others on the plane were hurt. One person on the parked Gulfstream was injured. Vitosky was a seasoned aviator with experience as a military pilot and commercial flight instructor. He called Dallas home for 25 years. The NTSB investigation into the crash is ongoing. DALLAS - An experienced aviator from Dallas has been identified as the man killed in a plane crash in Arizona this week. Joe Vitosky, 78, was piloting the jet owned by Mötley Crüe singer Vince Neil when it crashed, killing him. The pilot's daughter says she heard the majority of the information through the news Monday. She learned the plane belonged to Neil, and she knew immediately. What we know Joe Vitosky was piloting a jet on Monday from Austin, Texas, to Scottsdale, Arizona. Video from the runway shows the Learjet colliding with a parked Gulfstream Jet. Officials say the Learjet's landing gear failed. Vitosky was killed. Three others on the plane were hurt. One person on the parked Gulfstream was injured. "If there would have been anybody there who could have done anything in this situation, I wholeheartedly believe he did it, and he saved their lives," said Jane Schertzer, Vitosky's daughter. Multiple investigations into the crash are still underway. Debris was still being cleared from the Scottsdale Airport on Wednesday. Schertzer says at 78, her father was still mentally and physically fit. "You still have to go through all these physicals and other things," she said. "They won't let you fly if you can't pass them. Well, he passed with flying colors." The backstory Joe Vitosky spent his life mostly in the air. The seasoned aviator flew choppers and fighter jets in the U.S. Marines, serving in Vietnam. Vitosky worked for American Airlines and then went on to become a longtime flight instructor at Southwest Airlines. In addition to time with commercial aviation, Vitosky flew private charter planes. Dallas was his home for 25 years. Schertzer, who lives in Mississippi, wants her father's life to be remembered with deep ties to North Texas. "My dad lives there, and he is married. His wife lives there and overseas between the two. He always travels back and forth. He's literally a world traveler," she said. What's next Schertzer is still working on her father's funeral plans. Vitosky's body is still part of the ongoing NTSB investigation. The Source Information in this article comes from an interview with Joe Vitosky's daughter and the Scottsdale Police Department.
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Pilot Killed in Arizona Plane Crash Saved Motley Crue Singer Vince Neil's Girlfriend, Daughter Says
The pilot killed in a plane crash involving Mötley Crüe singer Vince Neil's private jet helped save Neil's girlfriend, Rain Hannah Andreani, and other passengers in his final moments, said his daughter. One person, believed to be the pilot, was killed and four others injured after Neil's plane veered off course and collided with another jet on Monday, February 10, at Scottsdale Airport in Arizona. Neil was not on board the plane, his representative said. Scottsdale police identified the slain pilot on Tuesday, February 11, as Joie Vitosky, 78, per the Arizona Republic. "I honestly, wholeheartedly believe that the reason those other passengers are alive — it's because of how he handled it yesterday," said Jana Schertzer, Vitosky's daughter, told the outlet. Motley Crue Rocker Vince Neil's Four Marriages and Relationship History According to Schertzer, Vitosky had been flying for around 60 years after beginning his career as a helicopter pilot in the U.S. Marine Corps. After leaving the military, Vitosky began flying privately for guests including Jesse Jackson and Maureen Reagan. "It's a lot of stuff that can happen on a private plane. A lot of rich people, but he had a lot of people who needed something immediate,' said Vitosky's daughter, noting that he also flew owners of oil companies and even transplant patients awaiting surgery. Celebrity Deaths of 2025: Aubrey Plaza's Husband Jeff Baena and More Stars We've Lost This Year Schertzer said that her father was in good health at the time of his death. 'Like, nothing wrong. His vision was perfect — better than 20/20 vision,' she told the Arizona Republic. 'Instead of, you know, retiring and doing nothing, he did it literally until the day he died," she added. According to TMZ, Andreani, Neil's girlfriend, suffered five broken ribs in Monday's crash, while her friend also sustained injuries. The dogs the two women were traveling with survived the crash as well. Both women and the jet's co-pilot were taken to the hospital. 'At 2:39 p.m. local time, a Learjet aircraft Model 35A owned by Vince Neil was attempting to land at the Scottsdale Airport. For reasons unknown at this time, the plane veered from the runway causing it to collide with another parked plane. On board Mr. Neil's plane were two pilots and two passengers. Mr. Neil was not on the plane,' a representative for Neil said in a statement shared via Mötley Crüe's Instagram account Monday. 'More specific details regarding the collision are not available as this is a rapidly evolving situation and there is an ongoing investigation. Mr. Neil's thoughts and prayers go out to everyone involved, and he is grateful for the critical aid of all first responders assisting today,' the statement continued.
