Last week, the country music world was rocked by the passing of both Don Williams and Troy Gentry. Over the weekend, Jason Aldean honored Troy by singing Montgomery Gentry's hit "Lonely and Gone."
Brian Rayner of the National Transportation Safety Board tells People that the copter ride was spur of the moment. Not long after take off the pilot announced over his radio that the aircraft was having control issues. He says, “A couple of different responses to that challenge were discussed, and he was performing an auto rotational descent to runway one.”
The helicopter missed the runway and crashed into low shrubbery.
The 30-year-old pilot James Evan Robinson, who had two years of flight experience, died at the scene. Troy later died at an area hospital.
The investigation is ongoing and could last for more than a year.
Here's what else we know:
- The pilot got his instructors license in January.
- The helicopter company has decades of experience flying the type of helicopter involved in the crash.
- The family of the pilot needs as many prayers as Troy's family.
- As of Monday afternoon, Eddie hadn't spoken publicly about the crash.
The Grand Ole Opry will host a celebration of life service for the late Troy Gentry of Montgomery Gentry on Thursday (Sept. 14) at 11 a.m. CT.
For those who are unable to attend, a live stream of the event will be available through the Opry’s website. A private internment for his family will follow.