Uncertified Flight Instructor Sentenced to Prison Following Fatal Crash

Philip Everton McPherson II received six and a half years behind bars for involuntary manslaughter.

Meg Godlewski

Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at 09:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

The Piper Cherokee that crashed September 28, 2022, in Pennsylvania was largely destroyed in a postcrash fire. [Credit: NTSB]

Key Takeaways:

Flight instructor Philip Everton McPherson II was sentenced to 6.5 years in prison for involuntary manslaughter and other charges following a 2022 fatal plane crash that killed his student.
McPherson was operating illegally, as his pilot certificates were revoked due to a "lack of demonstrated competence" and failing a reexamination, yet he continued to teach with passengers, violating his temporary certificate.
The fatal accident occurred during takeoff when the aircraft experienced a "noticeably weak" engine and struggled to climb, ultimately descending into trees, though the NTSB cited "partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons."
The owner of McPherson's flight school was also indicted and pleaded guilty to conspiracy and obstruction for knowingly allowing him to teach without a valid certificate, agreeing to pay restitution to affected students.

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A New Jersey flight instructor involved in a fatal aircraft accident after he had his pilot certificates revoked for a “lack of demonstrated competence” has been sentenced to six and a half years in prison.

As previously reported by FLYING, 37-year-old Philip Everton McPherson II in 2025 pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and other charges stemming from a 2022 crash that killed a flight student. McPherson pleaded guilty to 43 of the 44 charges he faced in exchange for the U.S. government agreeing to withdraw one count of conspiracy to defraud the FAA. These counts stemmed from serving as an airman without a valid certificate.