Motley Crue frontman Vince Neil’s birthday plans seemingly saved him from the horror private jet crash that killed his longtime pilot.
On Monday, the singer’s aircraft collided with another plane in Scottsdale, Arizona because of a problem with the landing gear. Sadly, the pilot Joie Vitosky, aged 78, lost their life in the accident. Additionally, Vince’s girlfriend Rain Hannah Andreani, aged 43, and two others sustained severe injuries.
Vince was not aboard the jet because he was celebrating his 64th birthday in Florida, his close friend Lance Graves told TMZ on Wednesday.
It was revealed that Rain, who is a barrel racing competitor, needed to be in Buckeye, Arizona on Monday to register for the Royal Crown’s upcoming three-day barrel racing event.
Considering Vince’s participation in the competition was not required until it officially commenced on Thursday, February 13, he made the decision to extend his stay in Florida for a few more days.
Being that Rain suffered five broken ribs as a result of the jet crash, Graves confirmed that she will no longer be competing and will, instead, be focusing on her recovery.
Motley Crue frontman Vince Neil’s birthday plans seemingly saved him from the horror private jet crash that killed his longtime pilot; Vince seen in 2023
He added that those in Vince’s inner circle are focused on giving Rain the ‘time and grace’ she needs to heal from the tragedy.
Graves then spoke of Vince’s ‘loyalty’ to pilot Vitosky — a 78-year-old Marine veteran — who ultimately died ‘trying to save Rain and others aboard the doomed flight.’
Vince is said to have hired Vitosky following his retirement from commercial airlines after knowing and flying with him for years.
Graves described Vince’s relationship with the late pilot as ‘great’ and that ‘few people are that kind and loyal in today’s world.’
On Monday, DailyMail.com obtained footage of the deadly crash that occurred at Scottsdale Airport in Arizona.
In the shock footage, the private jet is taxiing along the runway before it appears to hit something which causes the small aircraft to start skidding along the airstrip.
From another angle, the plane can be seen careering towards a stationary plane before it smashes into the side of the aircraft.
Rain and her friend Ashley both survived the crash and were rushed to a nearby hospital in the wake of the aviation tragedy, a source close to the situation told TMZ Monday.
On Monday, the singer’s plane crashed into another aircraft in Scottsdale, Arizona, killing pilot Joie Vitosky, 78, and seriously injuring Vince’s girlfriend Rain Hannah, 43, and two others
Neil seen with girlfriend Rain, 43, in 2019
Multiple pet dogs the women brought aboard the aircraft were safe, sources told the outlet.
The band confirmed in a statement on X/Twitter that Vitosky was killed in the crash, and that they will be involved in the efforts to help the pilot’s family.
‘Earlier today, a private plane owned by Vince Neil was involved in a crash near Scottsdale, AZ,’ the group behind hits such as Home Sweet Home, Wild Side and Without You said on the social media platform. ‘The pilot was tragically killed; the co-pilot and other passengers were taken to local hospitals.
The group continued, ‘Vince was not on the plane. Vince’s girlfriend and her friend suffered injuries, albeit not life-threatening. While details are still emerging, our hearts go out to the families about the pilot who lost his life in the passengers who suffered injuries.’
‘Mötley Crüe will announce a way to help support the family of the deceased pilot -stand by for an announcement very soon.’
Vince was not a passenger on the plane at the time of the deadly incident, a spokesperson for the singer told Dailymail.com.
His lawyer said that the musical artist’s ‘thoughts and prayers go out to everyone involved, and he is grateful for the critical aid of all first responders assisting today,’
Worrick Robinson Law, the law firm representing the heavy metal singer, confirmed tragic details in the incident in a statement Monday night.
Vince was not aboard the jet because he was celebrating his 64th birthday in Florida, his close friend Lance Graves told TMZ on Wednesday; Vince seen in 2017
Graves explained that Rain (pictured) — a barrel racing cowgirl — had to be in Buckeye, Arizona on Monday to ‘check in’ for the Royal Crown’s three-day barrel racing competition
‘At 2:39 p.m. local time, a Learjet aircraft Model 35A owned by Vince Neil was attempting to land at the Scottsdale Airport,’ the firm said. ‘For reasons unknown at this time, the plane veered from the runway causing it to collide with another parked plane.
‘On board Mr. Neil’s plane were two pilots and two passengers. Mr. Neil was not on the plane. More specific details regarding the collision are not available as this is a rapidly evolving situation and there is an ongoing investigation.
The firm said that ‘Mr. Neil’s thoughts and prayers go out to everyone involved, and he is grateful for the critical aid of all first responders assisting today.’
Vitosky’s daughter Jana Schertzer spoke to the Arizona Republic on Tuesday about the crash, claiming that her father had ‘saved’ the surviving passengers aboard the private jet.
‘I honestly, wholeheartedly believe that the reason those other passengers are alive — it’s because of how he handled it yesterday,’ she told the outlet.
Vitosky had been a pilot for 60 years, since he joined the Marine Corps, where he flew helicopters before switching to jets, his daughter added.
Despite his age, Schertzer said her father remained in perfect health – ‘Like, nothing wrong. His vision was perfect — better than 20/20 vision.’
The vet, who studied to become an engineer, served several tours in Vietnam.
Since Vince didn’t need to be at Rain’s competition until its official kick off on Thursday, February 13, he decided to spend a few extra days in Florida; the couple pictured
Graves then spoke of Vince’s ‘loyalty’ to pilot Joie Vitosky (pictured) — a 78-year-old Marine veteran — who ultimately died trying to ‘save’ Rain and others aboard the doomed flight
Vitosky, originally from Okemah, Oklahoma, joined the Marine Corps in his early twenties because he wanted to fly, his ex-wife Ann Vitosky said.
Ann said she believed Vitosky had been flying for Neil for ‘a few’ years.
He flew several high-profile names during his flying career, Jesse Jackson, Ronald Reagan’s daughter Maureen Reagan and oil barons.
Vitosky also served as a pilot for companies such as FedEx and for transplant patients, taking them to life-saving surgeries.
‘A lot of rich people, but he had a lot of people who needed something immediate,’ his daughter said of his career.
Vitosky also leaves behind two other children and four grandchildren.
