A flight instructor will spend years in prison for a 2022 plane crash in Lehigh County that killed a student pilot from Easton, according to authorities.
Philip Everton McPherson II, 37, of Haddon Township, New Jersey was sentenced Thursday to 6½ years in prison on federal charges of involuntary manslaughter in the crash that killed Keith Kozel, 49, on Sept. 28, 2022, in Salisbury Township, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said in a news release.
McPherson, prosecutors said, knew he was not competent to fly the plane that day because he veered off the runway during two prior attempted landings while teaching, and he failed a certification exam, leading him to voluntarily surrender his pilot’s license in October 2021.
He was instructing Kozel when the plane crashed in a yard on Keystone Road in Salisbury Township, near the Little Lehigh Creek. The plane had taken off from Queen City Airport. A National Transportation Safety Board investigation determined the plane crashed because of a partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
McPherson pleaded guilty in October to charges of involuntary manslaughter, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, obstruction of an administrative proceeding, and serving as an airman without a certificate, according to federal authorities.
He tried to withdraw his plea, claiming he had ineffective counsel, but the presiding federal judge denied the request, according to court documents. His new attorney wrote in court documents that while McPherson does not think he is guilty of the charges, he continues to to “carry the burden” of Kozel’s death, and grieves for his family. A number of family and friends submitted letters to the judge saying McPherson is a kind man.
“Contrary to the Government’s portrayal of Mr. McPherson, he is not a heartless monster with no regard for human life. The letters submitted by family and friends, people who have known Mr. McPherson his entire life, are a testament to a person who is caring, considerate and responsible,” Attorney Joseph Mancano wrote in court documents.
McPherson was also seriously injured in the crash, his attorney wrote. Injuries included numerous broken bones and lacerations, and his leg injuries were so severe he had to learn to walk again, according to court documents.
Nouman Saleem, the owner of ProFlite, where McPherson taught without a certification, pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States, conspiracy to commit wire fraud and obstruction of justice. Saleem allowed McPherson to teach there from October 2021 until the day of the crash. Saleem, of Easton, was sentenced to 2½ years in prison.
A Quakertown man working in the area of the crash pulled McPherson from the wreckage. He tried to get back to the plane for Kozel, but was forced away from the intense heat.
In addition to his prison sentence, McPherson was also sentenced to three years of supervised release and must pay a $5,000 fine. He was also ordered to pay $19,530 in restitution.