Country Music Star Troy Gentry Killed in Helicopter Crash

The 50-year-old member of country duo Montgomery Gentry was flying to a performance in Medford, New Jersey

Troy Gentry
Getty Images

Troy Gentry, one half of Kentucky-based country music duo Montgomery Gentry, has died. He was 50.

Gentry (above left) is one of two victims in a fatal helicopter crash on Friday near a small New Jersey airport. The band had been scheduled to perform at the Flying W Airport & Resort in Medford that night.

The band’s official Twitter page confirmed his death, stating that “details of the crash are unknown.”

“Troy Gentry’s wishes to acknowledge all the kind thoughts and prayers, and asks for privacy at this time,” the tweet continued.

NJ.com reported that the helicopter, a Schweizer 269, crashed into a wooded area off of Runway 1 at the airport, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

Medford Township Police Chief Richard said police got a call about a “helicopter that was distressed” around 1 p.m. local time.

“Shortly after our arrival the helicopter did go down. It went into a field south of the airport,” Meder said.

Another unnamed man, assumed to be the pilot, was also killed in the crash. Fellow band member Eddie Montgomery was not onboard.

Gentry and Montgomery began performing together in the 1990s, and formed the band in 1999. The pair has performed with Toby Keith, Charlie Daniels and members of the Allman Brothers Band.

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