Troy Gentry Cause Of Death: Pilot Blamed For Crash That Killed Musician

Country star Troy Gentry’s death is being blamed on James Evan Robinson, the pilot of the helicopter that they were riding that crashed on Sept. 8, 2017 in Medford, New Jersey.

According to TMZ, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) concluded that the helicopter pilot cut the engine too soon when he tried to make an emergency landing.

The Associated Press reported that Robinson tried to glide to the ground but was advised by experts to do otherwise. They suggested that he make a shallow, run-on landing instead. They also stressed the importance of waiting until he was over the runway before he turn off the engine. Unfortunately, he turned the engine off a quarter-to half-mile out. Because of the pilot’s error, the helicopter crashed in the woods instead of the Flying W Airport. Aside from this, the NTSB also said that the maintenance crew failed to rig the throttle control assembly before the flight. That error also contributed to the helicopter crash.

The 50-year-old country star was part of the American country music duo Montgomery Gentry with vocalist Eddie Montgomery. He was born in Lexington, Kentucky on April 5, 1967. His parents were Patricia and Lloyd Gentry. He had a sister named Jana Gentry Eckhardt and a brother named Keith.

According to The Boot, Gentry attended the University of Kentucky and graduated from Lexington Community College. He has two kids, namely Taylor and Kaylee. Kaylee’s mom is Angie McClure, which he married in 1999.

Gentry originally wanted to pursue a solo career. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to find a record deal. That’s when he decided to team up with Montgomery. They decided to call themselves Deuce. They eventually changed their name to Montgomery Gentry and was signed in 1999 under Columbia Records’ Nashville division.

They were known for their hit songs including “If You Ever Stop Loving Me,” “Gone,” “Something to Be Proud Of,” “Roll with Me,” “Back When I Knew It All” and “Lucky Man.” The duo also had a lot of albums under their belt including “Tattoos & Scars ,” “My Town ,” “ You Do Your Thing” and “Something To Be Proud Of: The Best Of 1999–2005,” “Carrying On,” “Back When I Knew It All” and “Some People Change.” They also had the albums “Folks Like Us,” “Rebels On The Run and Friends and Family,” “Freedom and Hits And More: Life Beside A Gravel Road,” “Here's to You” and “20 Years of Hits.” Montgomery continues to tour under the name Montgomery Gentry despite his partner’s death.