Private Learjet Owned by Mötley Crüe’s Vince Neil Crashes at Scottsdale Airport, Killing Co-pilot
Summary:
On Monday, a private Learjet owned by Mötley Crüe lead singer Vince Neil crashed at Scottsdale Airport due to a landing gear failure, resulting in the death of the co-pilot, 78-year-old Joie Vitosky. Three other individuals, including Neil’s girlfriend, Rain Hannah, and her friend, sustained injuries. A fifth person in the parked jet refused medical attention. Neil was not present on the aircraft at the time of the incident.
Cause and Response:
Initial reports indicate that the Learjet’s left main landing gear failed upon landing, causing the aircraft to skid off the runway and collide with a parked private jet. City of Scottsdale officials released a statement confirming the cause of the crash and commended the prompt response of airport operations staff and emergency personnel, who were on the scene within one minute.
Victims and Impact:
The deceased co-pilot, Joie Vitosky, was a veteran pilot with decades of experience, including service as a Marine Corps aviator in Vietnam. His ex-wife expressed gratitude that he died doing what he loved and flying was his passion.
Among the injured was Neil’s girlfriend, Rain Hannah, who suffered five broken ribs. The two passengers also had dogs on the plane that survived the incident. The individual trapped in Neil’s jet after the crash was extracted and transferred to a trauma center in critical condition.
Aircraft Damage and Investigation:
The impact of the collision caused significant damage to both aircraft. The Learjet’s cockpit area was heavily damaged, while the parked Gulfstream 200 was lifted and moved several feet. Rescue crews separated the aircraft later on Monday.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an investigation into the crash to determine the exact cause and contributing factors.
Eyewitness Account:
An eyewitness, Gordon Johnson, witnessed the landing gear collapse and the subsequent skid off the runway. He noted that the jet appeared to slide off to the left.
Aircraft Ownership and Registration:
The crashed Learjet is registered to Chromed in Hollywood, Inc., a Wyoming-based company listed as directed by Vince Neil.
Airport Closure and Reopening:
The runway at Scottsdale Airport was closed due to the incident but reopened later that evening at 10:38 p.m.
Additional Reporting:
Fox News correspondents Stepheny Price, Lorraine Taylor, and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
