PHILADELPHIA – In a stunning turn of events, Philip McPherson II, 37, from Riverside, New Jersey, has pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in the tragic 2022 plane crash that claimed the life of a student pilot and dozens more. The court heard the grim details as McPherson admitted to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, obstruction of an administrative proceeding, and 40 counts of flying without a certificate.
The fateful flight took place on September 28, 2022, when McPherson was piloting a Piper-28-140 aircraft from Allentown’s Queen City Airport. The plane plummeted to the ground shortly after takeoff, resulting in the death of K.K., a young student pilot.
According to court filings, McPherson flew with gross negligence, knowing full well that he was not competent to handle an aircraft. He had previously been involved in two accidents and narrowly avoided a third. His September 29, 2021, reexamination for his pilot’s certificate failed due to a lack of demonstrated competence, leading him to surrender his certificate on October 7, 2021. His Temporary Airman Certificate expired on November 8, 2021.
Despite this, McPherson continued to serve as the pilot-in-command and flew with passengers between October 12, 2021, and September 20, 2022, without a valid FAA pilot’s certificate. The defendant is now scheduled for sentencing on January 27, facing up to 153 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a $10,750,000 fine, and a $4,300 special assessment.
This case was meticulously investigated by the U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General, Federal Aviation Administration, and Salisbury Township Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Robert Schopf and Special Assistant United States Attorney Marie Miller are prosecuting the case.
Notably, the release of this press announcement was delayed due to the federal government shutdown from October 1, 2025, to November 12, 2025.
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Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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