Philip Everton McPherson II of Haddon Township, NJ, is facing charges of involuntary manslaughter alongside 40 counts of acting as an unlicensed airman, stemming from a fatal plane crash in Lehigh Valley last year that resulted in the death of a student pilot. In an announcement made by United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero, McPherson has been indicted for the September 28, 2022, incident where he crashed a Piper-28-140 aircraft, fatally injuring the student pilot identified only by the initials K.K., just shortly after taking off from Queen City Airport in Allentown, PA. The U.S. Attorney's Office states that the defendant was fully aware he lacked the competency to fly.
The indictment accuses McPherson of gross negligence, particularly highlighting that he knowingly possessed neither the skill nor the proper certification to operate the aircraft. This was evidenced by his prior involvement in two airplane accidents, a failed pilot’s certificate reexamination dated September 29, 2021, the voluntary surrender of his pilot's certificate on October 7, 2021, and by allowing his Temporary Airman Certificate to lapse in November the same year. McPherson also allegedly to have flouted the law by conducting 40 unsanctioned flights as pilot-in-command from October 2021 to September 2022.
Should McPherson be found guilty of the charges, he could face a maximum sentence of 128 years in prison, along with three years of supervised release, financial retribution totaling upwards of $10.25 million, and a $4,100 special assessment fee. The investigation leading to the charges was conducted by the United States Department of Transportation – Office of Inspector General. The case is now in the hands of Assistant United States Attorney Robert W. Schopf and Special Assistant United States Attorney Marie Miller.
While the charges appear grave, it is paramount to remember that an indictment is but an accusation. Under U.S. law, McPherson is to be presumed innocent until, and only if, he is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in the court of law. As the legal process unfolds, the accidents that have dotted McPherson’s flight path are set to become the focus of an intensive examination, as both the prosecution and defense prepare to have their day in court.
