Site of the investigation on Peters and Nall Road. (PCSO photo)
Jeffrey Pino (Facebook)
Jeffrey Pino (Facebook)

A former aviation company executive has been identified as the pilot in the fatal plane crash in Thunderbird Farms Friday.

According to Pinal County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Mark Clark, Jeffrey Pino, 61, died at the scene. An unexpected second victim was also recovered but an identity has not been released.

Pino was a resident of Chandler. According to his LinkedIn profile he was CEO of Maquarie Rotocraft Leasing Inc.

An experienced pilot who was once president of Sikorsky Aircraft. Pino was flying “Big, Beautiful Doll,” a North American P-51D Mustang. It crashed near the junction of Peters and Nall Road and Breeze Way, just west of Ralston Road. The incident happened just before noon.

Because the vintage aircraft was a one-seater, the presence of a second body surprised investigators. The plane burst into flames after impact.

The Federal Aviation Administration and Pinal County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the accident.

Pino retired as president of Sikorsky in 2012. Sikorsky Aviation is the helicopter division of United Technologies Corp. He was a former test pilot for the U.S. Army.

“The Sikorsky family is saddened to learn of the sudden loss of former President Jeff Pino,” Sikorsky’s current president Dan Schultz said in a statement. “Mr. Pino was president of Sikorsky for six years, during which he “brought personal energy and passion for aviation innovation to our industry.”

Jeffrey Pino posted this photo of his plane on Facebook in October.
Jeffrey Pino posted this photo of his plane on Facebook in October.