Helicopter Crash Troy Gentry Died in Was Partially Due to Pilot Error

NEW JERSEY- According to nj.com, an investigation into the helicopter crash that killed Troy Gentry, of Montgomery Gentry, found that pilot error was at least part of the reason for the deadly accident. The pilot, James E. Robinson, 30, died in the September 2017 crash as well.
The pilot attempted to make an emergency landing in the Schweizer 269C-1 helicopter. Robinson was trying to bring the helicopter into the Flying W Airport, which is located in Medford.
Reports indicate that Robinson “cut the engine too soon,” which caused the aircraft to drop to the ground with no control. The National Transportation Safety Board conducted the investigation and found that there was also a problem with the helicopter’s throttle control because of a maintenance worker’s error.

Prior to the crash, the helicopter was hovering and awaiting the emergency responders. The helicopter stayed in place for about ten minutes while the pilot spoke to two helicopter flight instructors. The report indicates that the pilot ultimately disregarded advice that he was given.

Robinson died at the scene of the crash. Emergency responders extracted Gentry from the helicopter and transported him to the Virtua Marlton Hospital. Gentry died at the hospital from the injuries that he sustained in the crash. Gentry was 50 at the time.

The county duo, Montgomery Gentry, had a concert scheduled at the airport on the evening of the crash. The pilot offered Gentry a flight at about 12:45 in the afternoon. The weather was clear and dry at the time.

Robinson had logged about 300 hours flying the model of helicopter that crashed and was not under the influence of alcohol or drugs when the helicopter went down.