Family identifies West Michigan pilot killed in Nevada plane crash

ALLENDALE (WWJ) - A West Michigan pilot has been identified as one of five people killed after a Guardian Flight medical plane crashed in Nevada snowstorm.

Scott Walton, 46, of Allendale was flying the single-engine Pilatus PC12 carrying a patient, 69-year-old Mark Rand, his 66-year-old spouse Terri Rand, and two medical crew members, Edward Pricola, 32, and Ryan Watson, 27, when something went wrong.

Officials say the plane apparently broke apart before it crashed in a mountainous area near Stagecoach, some 40 miles southeast of Reno, on Feb 24.

The Washoe County Regional Medical Examiner's Office ruled that the five victims died after sustaining multiple blunt force trauma injuries.

Scott's sister-in-law, Katie Maguire Walton, took to GoFundMe to launch fundraising efforts in support of Scott's family.

"My brother-in-law, Scott Walton, was the pilot of the Guardian Flight medical plane that crashed fatally on Friday, Feb. 24, in Nevada," Katie wrote on the fundraising page. "Transporting patients to receive life-saving care was an absolute passion and life's mission for Scott. He was one of those special people who lit up a room, who brought smiles to everyone's face, who never met a stranger.

GoFundMe

Now his loving wife and three young daughters, who were the center of his world, are left to navigate the future without him," she continued. "He loved them more than absolutely anything in the world. And we know his one, desperate worry will be their future."

Family members said Scott began his piloting career as a hobby while working in marketing. His brother, Michael Walton, said Scott had a "love of flying" and followed in the footsteps of their grandfather, who piloted bombers in WWII.

In his 30s, Scott decided to dedicate himself to aviation as a full-time job.

Scott's other brother, John Walton the radio announcer for the Washington Capitals of the NHL, posted to Twitter after the Caps game on Feb. 25 and thanked everyone for their support.

"I had to do the game today with a broken heart," John wrote. "Please keep my brother Scott, his wife Lisa, and their three beautiful girls in your thoughts and prayers."

GoFundMe

At the time of the crash, the National Weather Service had issued a winter storm warning for Reno that included snow, winds gusts of up to 30 mph, low visibility and a cloud ceiling about 2,000 feet above ground.

Scott was flying from Reno to Salt Lake City when the plane went down.

So far it it's investigation, the National Transportation Safety Board have not said if the weather was a factor in the crash.

"Scott was an exceptional pilot of the highest caliber. He spent years as a flight instructor, teaching students from around the world to fly," Katie continued to write on the GoFundMe page. "We have no doubt that whatever happened during the flight was unrecoverable and that Scott did everything possible to keep all aboard safe."

So far, the page has raised $132,425 out of the $150,000 goal.

"In the midst of our grief, helping Scott's family gives us a sense of purpose and a small measure of peace," Katie added on the site. "Asking for help, talking publicly about our family's loss – none of it is comfortable. But we are channeling Scott's drive, purpose, and tenacity and doing whatever we can to help his beloved wife and sweet daughters."

The NTSB sent a seven-member investigative team to the crash site to investigation. Officials said the plane appeared to break apart prior to hitting the ground.