SCOTTSDALE, Arizona — A tragic incident occurred involving a private jet owned by Mötley Crüe frontman Vince Neil, resulting in the death of one of the pilots after the aircraft veered off the runway in Arizona and collided with a business jet, as detailed in a report from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The deceased pilot has been identified as 78-year-old Joie Vitosky, according to local authorities. Vitosky had an extensive aviation background, having been certified as a flight engineer since 1978 and becoming a pilot in 2019, according to FAA documentation.
Originally hailing from Okemah, Oklahoma, Vitosky pursued a career in aviation after joining the Marine Corps in his early twenties. His former wife, Ann Vitosky, noted that he was motivated by his passion for flying. He went on to become a Marine Corps aviator, flying helicopters during the Vietnam War in 1969. Following over ten years of service in the Marines, Vitosky transitioned to flying Learjets.
Ann expressed that Joie had been flying for Neil for a number of years, adding that he passed away while doing what he loved the most. “His passion was flying,” she said, emphasizing that he would likely find solace in the manner of his passing. Together, they raised three children and have four grandchildren.
According to Kelli Kuester, the aviation planning and outreach coordinator at Scottsdale Airport, the landing gear on Neil’s private jet seemingly malfunctioned, which led to the dramatic incident on Monday afternoon, causing it to crash into another aircraft on the runway. The FAA report revealed that another pilot and two passengers aboard Neil’s plane sustained serious injuries.
Vince Neil was reportedly not present on the flight at the time of the incident, as confirmed by a legal representative. Meanwhile, the crew member stationed on the parked jet, owned by Jet Pros, was treated for minor injuries.
The National Transportation Safety Board has initiated an investigation into the collision, but authorities have yet to disclose the identities of any individuals involved on either aircraft.
Mötley Crüe briefly posted on their X account, mentioning that Neil’s girlfriend and her friend were on board the private jet, but swiftly deleted the post, replacing it with additional updates. Bret Michaels, the lead singer of Poison, expressed his condolences and well-wishes for Neil’s girlfriend, Rain Hannah, labeling her as a family friend, along with those who were injured. “To all my family, friends, and fans, whether you’re traveling by plane, train, or car, enjoy the journey, but please stay safe. We need you to keep rocking the world together!!!” Michaels tweeted on Tuesday.
Hannah’s barrel-racing coach shared on Instagram that Hannah and her friend Ashley were en route to Scottsdale to participate in the Royal Crown barrel-racing competition in Buckeye. A message was sent to the coach for further comment.
Kuester stated that Neil’s jet had arrived from Austin, Texas. Following the collision, the runway was temporarily closed but has since reopened for use.
