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Gilbert plane crash update: Parents of pilot in crash speak out

Posted at 3:12 PM, Sep 20, 2016
and last updated 2016-09-21 02:04:17-04

The parents of the pilot whose plane crashed into a Gilbert home spoke out Tuesday from the Maricopa Medical Center where Ryan Kilgore is being treated for burns.

Jan and Bill Killgore said when they received the phone call that their son’s plane had gone down, “time stood still.”

Their son’s 10 years of piloting skills were put to the test as the small plane caught fire Saturday night.

“Thanks to his quick and appropriate action, everyone on board the flight survived. Ryan knew and performed his job very well,” Jan Killgore said. 

She said her son kept flying as long as he could after a fire started on the plane’s wing. 

Kilgore was getting burned as the four skydivers he had on board parachuted to safety. He had no choice but to jump.

The plane smashed into a home where two people escaped just in time. 

“We are very sorry for the family that lost their beautiful home, and we are so glad that no one else was injured, and that no lives were lost,” Jan Killgore said.

Ryan Kilgore landed in a field. His parents said a man rushed to help him, but Ryan only wondered if everyone else was okay.

“With a heroic act of a brave pilot, who was more concerned for others than for himself during a crisis…we are honored to call this pilot our son. We love you, Ryan,” his mother said.