Former Sikorsky president Jeffrey Pino was killed in a plane crash Friday in Arizona, according to a report by Vertical Magazine, which covers the helicopter industry.
Vertical said Pino and his friend Nicholas (Nick) Tramontano were reported killed in the crash of Pino’s P-51 Mustang near Maricopa, Ariz.
The magazine said although the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately identify either victim of the crash, XTI Aircraft Company, for which Pino served as vice chairman, confirmed Pino’s death in a statement. The company also confirmed that Tramontano was the second victim in the crash. Pino and Tramontano were said to be longtime aviation friends.
Sikorsky president Dan Schultz said in a statement Pino would be remembered at the company for his personal energy and passion for aviation innovation. “It was during his time leading Sikorsky that the company first flew the X2 Technology demonstrator. We remember Jeff as a leader, pioneer, innovator and advocate,” Schultz said.
Pino was the President of Sikorsky Aircraft from 2006 to 2012. After his time at Sikorsky, Pino was CEO of Macquarie Rotorcraft Leasing and then vice chairman of Colorado-based XTI Aircraft.
