The Scottsdale community continues to mourn the loss of veteran pilot Joie "Joe" Vitosky, who perished in a plane crash at Scottsdale Airport. Vitosky, aged 78, was operating a Learjet when it failed to properly to land due to a malfunction in the landing gear. Despite the failure, the pilot maneuvered the plane away from the runway, colliding with a stationary Gulfstream jet, as reported by FOX 10 Phoenix.
According to interviews conducted by 12 News, Cary Grant, a former United Airlines captain, suggested that Vitosky's swift actions likely saved lives by steering the plane clear of an even more catastrophic event. "We could have had a much more serious situation there if both airplanes had ended up in a ball of fire," Grant said. Vitosky's daughter, Jana Schertzer, has also been vocal in praising her father’s bravery, firmly stating, “I have no doubt that he saved them.”
Vitosky's career spanned six decades, with his expertise not only recognized in his civilian work but also in his service as a U.S. Marine Corps helicopter pilot. His daughter recounts her father's love for flying, noting to FOX 10 Phoenix that even at 78, he was "still mentally and physically fit" to pilot aircraft across the nation, a fact underscored by his ability to pass rigorous physical exams required for pilots. The late pilot leaves behind a legacy as a father, a Marine, and a revered colleague in the eyes of those who knew him, including Vince Neil of Mötley Crüe fame, for whom Vitosky frequently flew.
The outpouring of respect for the pilot extends beyond family; Lance Graves, a close associate of Vince Neil, remembered Vitosky as a "super guy" and a "professional" in a statement obtained by 12 News. Motley Crue has extended its condolences and announced intentions to support Vitosky's family as they navigate this tragedy. The NTSB is currently working to pinpoint the exact cause of the crash, a process that could potentially last up to two years. Meanwhile, cleanup crews have started to remove the wreckage from the Scottsdale Airport with the investigation's findings necessary to provide closure to this harrowing incident.
