A New Jersey man faces multiple charges in the aftermath of a fatal plane crash that claimed the life of a student pilot, according to authorities. Philip Everton McPherson II, a 36-year-old from Haddon Township, is indicted on one count of involuntary manslaughter, and an additional 40 counts for acting as a pilot without a certificate, as announced by U.S. Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero yesterday. This indictment comes nearly a year after the September 28, 2022, crash in Lehigh County that killed 49-year-old student pilot, Keith Kozel. The crash occurred shortly after takeoff from Queen City Airport in Allentown, as reported by FOX 29.
Prosecutors allege that McPherson, who had previously surrendered his pilot’s certificate following two earlier crashes during flight lessons, knew he was not qualified to fly. Despite forfeiting his license in October 2021 after failing a certification exam, McPherson continued to fly, this time resulting in fatal consequences, as per WTAJ. McPherson has pleaded not guilty and has been released on bail, although the charges could result in up to 128 years of imprisonment if convicted.
The U.S. Attorney's Office asserts that McPherson's actions prior to and on the day of the crash constituted "gross negligence." His prior incidents, coupled with his lack of an FAA pilot's certificate during the 40 flights he operated between October 2021 and September 2022, serves as the basis for the multiple counts against him. According to the indictment, McPherson had voluntarily surrendered his pilot certificate and allowed his temporary airman certificate to expire in November 2021, thereby knowingly flying without the proper credentials, as noted by 6ABC.
The aircraft involved was owned by ProFlite Aero Services, a detail provided by official records. If the courts find McPherson at fault, he faces a future marked by potentially over a century behind bars and a staggering amount of fines exceeding $10 million, an accountability pushed forth by an indictment bearing the weight of repeated illicit flights and a life tragically cut short.
