More than 100 years in prison possible for responsible pilot due to fatal accident

A New Jersey resident has been charged in connection with a fatal 2022 plane crash in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania.

Philip Everton McPherson II, 36, of Haddon, was indicted by a federal grand jury on 40 counts of operating without a pilot's license and one count of manslaughter, according to U.S. Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero.

If found guilty, McPherson faces a fine of $10.25 million, a $4,100 surcharge and up to 128 years in prison.

In September 2022, McPherson and student pilot KK took off from Allentown in the Piper 28-140, prosecutors said. The light aircraft never returned to Queen City Airport; KK died while McPherson was the pilot in command.

Fox 29 Philadelphia identified the victim as Keith Kozel.

The U.S. Attorney's Office said the indictment accuses him of “gross negligence” for failing a pilot re-examination in 2021, among other reasons that can be read here.

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