1 pilot had cocaine in system at time of deadly Arizona crash
PHOENIX — The Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s Office says autopsy results show one of two pilots aboard a small plane that crashed near Phoenix two months ago, killing all six people aboard, had cocaine in his system.
Three of the six killed in the crash were from Las Vegas: Helena Lagos, 22; Erik Valente, 32; and James Pedroza, 28.
A student pilot and a certified airline transport pilot both were seated in the front of the plane. But investigators haven’t disclosed who was flying the Piper PA-24 Comanche that was headed to Las Vegas or why it crashed.
The National Transportation Safety Board’s final report on the April 9 crash isn’t expected until next year.
The plane went down on a golf course and burst into flames less than a mile north of Scottsdale Airport.
A preliminary report by the NTSB days said surveillance video showed the plane struggled to gain altitude on departure.