May 22, 2013
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) -- Federal authorities say a student pilot wasn't following regulations when he took off with two friends on a late-night flight that crashed in north Alabama and killed everyone aboard.
The Federal Aviation Administration said Thursday the pilot, 17-year-old Jordan Ryan Smith of Jasper, had a student pilot certificate. The FAA pointed to regulations that say a student pilot may not act as a pilot in command of an aircraft carrying a passenger. FAA regulations also require a pilot to have a multi-engine rating to fly a twin-engine plane like the Piper PA 30 that crashed about 10:30 p.m. Tuesday a mile south of the Walker County Airport.
Also killed in the crash were 17-year-old Jordan Seth Montgomery and 19-year-old Brandon Tyler Ary, both of Arley.
