http://www.news-journalonline.com/article/20140324/NEWS/140329704?Title=-Top-Gun-stunt-pilot-dies-in-plane-crash-before-New-Smyrna-Sky-Fest'Top Gun' stunt pilot dies in plane crash before New Smyrna Sky Fest
By Chris Graham
A nationally-renowned stunt pilot who performed death-defying tricks for nearly four decades and was expected to be one of the centerpiece acts in the upcoming New Smyrna Beach Balloon & Sky Fest was killed in a plane crash in Eastern Tennessee, officials said.
David Burt, organizer for the annual festival held on the grounds of the New Smyrna Beach Municipal Airport, said he and others were informed Monday morning that Jim Maroney died after his World War II-era Havilland DHC-1 plane crashed in Monroe County, Tenn.
“This is just tragic news,” Burt said. “We mourn his loss.”
Maroney, who had been performing in airshows for 38 years and was a former Navy fighter pilot who advised Tom Cruise in the movie “Top Gun,” was scheduled to make his first appearance at the annual Sky Fest. Burt said other pilots are planning to honor Maroney at various points during the air show, including a “missing man formation.”
Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Kathleen Bergen said an alert was sent out late Sunday after Maroney's plane did not reach its intended destination at Franklin County Airport in Canon, Ga. The plane was flying from French Lick, Ind.
This is a developing story. Please check back for more details.