Who died in the private crash of Mötley Crüe singer in Scotsdale? Killed pilot in the incident identified, daughter shares details – Sportskeeda

The pilot, who died after a private plane crashed into a parked plane at Scotsdale Airport in Arizona on Monday, February 10, 2025, was identified. According to local authorities, the only victim of the incident was a 78-year-old veteran of marine infantry, Jii Vitoski.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Learjet 35A belonging to the frontman of Mötley Crüe Vince Neal, diverted the course and crashed into a parked Gulfstream 200. The initial reports suggest that Learjet, incoming from Austin, has your landing gear, making it divert from the track.

USA Today, citing the interview of Vitoski’s daughter Yana Sherzer about the Republic of Arizona, revealed that the 78-year-old has been a pilot for more than six decades. Joey Vitoski started flying helicopters when he joined the American Marine Corps and eventually switched to jet pilot.

“I can honestly say he actually loved his job,” Jana Sherzer for his father’s passion to be a pilot

Yana Sherzer explained that her father Jii Vitoski did not plan to become a pilot. She told the Arizona Republic that he was studying to become an engineer, but eventually joined the military. Sherzer revealed that her father had made several tours in Vietnam.

Yana added that Vitoski had an eclectic flying career after his stay with the Marines. Since then, he has flown people like Jesse Jackson, Maureen Reagan and owners of oil companies, has been a pilot with companies like FedEx and even flew patients with transplantation in anticipation of life -saving operations.

In a conversation with 12 news, Yana explained that despite her age, he could easily recall details of his travels months later, even name the cities he visited and the people he met. She added:

“It’s a passion. Many people work, it’s their job, but honestly I can say that he actually loves his work … Instead, you know, retire and do nothing, he did it literally until the day, in who died. “

Sherzer explained that she believed that her father’s actions had saved the lives of the people on board, stating:

“I have no doubt that he saved them. People may say that you cannot maneuver a plane when the landing facilities fail, but I know, no doubt that my father saved their lives.”

According to Captain Dave Foil, four others were injured in the crash in Scottsdale. Two on board Vince’s Learjet were critically injured while another suffered minor injuries. The fourth person, who was in Gulfsteem at the time, did not want medical treatment.

The Associated Press, citing the FAA, noted that Vitosky has been a certified flight engineer since 1978 and a 2019 pilot.

In a statement shared by X, representative of Vince Neal, Warrick Robinson, IV, revealed that two passengers and two pilots were present in his aircraft. He confirmed that Neal was not on the plane when he crashed.

Later, Mötley Crüe manager Alan Kovak told TMZ that Neil’s girlfriend, Rain Hannah Andreani, was injured in an accident and received five broken ribs. Kovak noted that Rain’s friend is also on the plane. However, the identity of other individuals remains unconfirmed.

The Airport in Scottsdale is a popular landing center for private aircraft, especially during events such as the recent Waste Management Golf Tournament (or Phoenix Open). After the crash, the track was temporarily closed for six hours.

The FAA and National Transport Safety Council (NTSB) continues to investigate Scottsdale’s crash. The medical examination of Maricopa County is yet to determine Vitoski’s cause of death.

Vitosky survived his children and grandchildren. Mötley Crüe expressed his condolences to the pilot’s family, adding that they work in a way to support them.