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Student Pilot In Crash Ignored FAA Regulations

cbsnews.com

Federal authorities say a student pilot wasn't following regulations when he took off with two friends on a late-night flight that crashed in north Alabama and killed everyone aboard.

The Federal Aviation Administration said Thursday the pilot, 17-year-old Jordan Ryan Smith of Jasper, had a student pilot certificate. The FAA pointed to regulations that say a student pilot may not act as a pilot in command of an aircraft carrying a passenger. FAA regulations also require a pilot to have a multi-engine rating to fly a twin-engine plane like the Piper PA 30 that crashed about 10:30 p.m. Tuesday a mile south of the Walker County Airport.

Also killed in the crash were 17-year-old Jordan Seth Montgomery and 19-year-old Brandon Tyler Ary, both of Arley.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.

Ryan Vasquez is a reporter and the former APR host of All Things Considered.
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