The helicopter pilot carrying country music singer Troy Gentry on Friday reported the aircraft experiencing mechanical problems not long before it crashed in New Jersey, killing both men.
Gentry was one-half of country music duo, Montgomery Gentry. At the time, details surrounding the death were unclear, he was 50 years old when he died.
The singer was meant to perform with bandmate Eddie Montgomery at the Flying W Airport and Resort in Medford Friday evening. The concert was canceled when the news came in.
“Not long after takeoff, the pilot announced over the airport frequency—which was being monitored by a number of people—that he was having difficulty controlling engine RPM,” said Rayner. “A couple of different responses to that challenge were discussed, and he was performing an auto rotational descent to runway one.”
Flying W Airport & Resort made a statement in a Sept. 9 Facebook post.
“Yesterday the day started with such excitement as the Montgomery Gentry bus rolled through our gates. The nicest people got off the bus and joined us on the ramp for what we hoped would be the best concert we have ever had.”
“Sadly this was not to be. Instead, the day turned to tragedy as a helicopter accident took the lives of the pilot and Mr. Gentry. No words can describe the sadness that the Flying W employees feel for their families,” the statement said.
The resort also said they would be processing refunds to credit cards throughout the next week.
Rayner added that a preliminary report explaining the full details of the crash will be released to the public next week.
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