The 78-year-old marine veteran identified as a pilot killed in the Mötley Crüe Singer-Whp Harrisburg plane crash

Scottsdale, Ariz. (TNND) – A 78-year-old marine veteran was identified as a pilot killed when a private jet of Motley Crue’s singer crashed into a parked plane at Scotsdale Airport in Arizona, according to authorities.

Police Department in Scottsdale is on Jii Vitoski.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records show that Vitosky has been certified as a 1978 flight engineer and served as a 2019 pilot.

Vitoski was declared dead on Monday afternoon after Learjet 35A, owned by Vince Neil, diverted from the track after landing. FAA said Learjet crashed into a Gulfstream 200 business aircraft on the airport ramp around 2:45 pm.

Kelly Queester, who is the coordinator of aviation planning and information information at the Airport in Scottsdale, said the landing facilities on the private aircraft seemed to have failed by sending it to the other aircraft.

Another pilot and two passengers aboard Neal’s aircraft were seriously injured, FAA said.

Neil’s girlfriend, Rain Hannah Andreani, was reported, was among the wounded. She broke five ribs in the crash, according to TMZ, while her girlfriend Ashley was also hurt.

Neal was not on his plane, said a law firm, who represented it.

Vitoski’s daughter, Yana Sherzer, told the Arizona Republic that he was confident that her father saved their lives.

“Honestly, I believe with all my heart that the reason these other passengers are alive – this is because of how he did yesterday,” Sherzer told the media, adding that her father has 60 years of flying experience.

Vitoski, originally from the Okham, Oklahoma, joined the Marine Corps in his early twenty years because he wanted to fly, said his ex -wife Anne Vitoski. He became an aviator of the Marine Corps and flew helicopters in Vietnam in 1969, she said. After spending more than a decade with marine infantry, he began flying Learjets.

Anne Vitoski said he believed he had been flying by Neal for several years.

She said he had died, doing what he loved, and would probably be glad to go the way he does it. “His passion flew,” she said.

The two share three children and four grandchildren.

The city of Scotsdale said the National Transport Safety Council is taking over the investigation of the crash.

“I am extremely grateful to the first respondents and employees of airport operations on stage today for their fast action and service,” said the director of aviation of Scottsdale Gary P. Mascaro in a statement. “We offer our deepest condolences to those affected by this tragedy.”

Through the law firm, Neal shared similar moods.

The thoughts and prayers of G -n Niele come to all participating, and he is grateful for the critical help of all the first answers that help today, “says a statement that Mötley Crüe shares to X.

Scottsdale’s clash comes after three major aviation disasters in the last few weeks.

A commercial aircraft and army helicopter Black Hawk collided in Washington, Colombia County, on January 29, killing 67 people.

Just two days later, a medical transport aircraft crashed in Philadelphia, killing the six people on board and another person on earth.

Last week, a small travel plane crashed in Alaska on the way to Nome’s Hub Community, with all 10 people on board killed.

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Editor’s note: The Associated Press contributed to this report.