Note to readers: On Friday, Feb. 9 a Bombardier Challenger 600-series jet crash-landed on the southbound side of I-75 outside of Naples, just north of the highway’s eastern turn, which runs along the area known as Alligator Alley. The plane hit an SUV and a truck; the drivers and passengers in those vehicles survived. Five were onboard the jet: a pilot, copilot, a crew member and two passengers. The pilot and co-pilot were killed. The Collier County Sheriff’s Office identified the dead as pilot Edward Daniel Murphy, 50, of Oakland Park, Fla., and Ian Fredrick Hoffman, 65, of Pompano Beach, Fla.
Kevin Sullivan, 62, is a pilot who lives in Denver. He’s been a pilot for 29 years, ever since graduating from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He has experience with Bombardier jet products. His current status as a pilot is: retired/recreationally. He’s also been a writer for Privatejetclubs.com for three years.
Q. What was your reaction when you first heard about the crash?
SULLIVAN: When I first heard about the crash, my immediate concern was for the safety of those involved. I know the aviation community is tightly-knit, so news of such an incident is always distressing. My thoughts went out to the families of the victims and the survivors, and I hoped for the best possible outcome amidst such a tragic event.