Jeffrey P. Pino, the highly respected and much loved President of Sikorsky Aircraft has died after he lost control of the World War II-era airplane he was piloting on February 5th, and crashed near Maricopa in Arizona. The investigation into the cause of the crash is still ongoing, writes ctpost.com.

Pino, 61, joined Sikorsky in 2002, and led the company through some of its most successful years from 2006 to 2012. He was instrumental in winning bids for numerous contracts valued at billions of dollars, among them the contract for a new presidential helicopter to replace the aging Sikorsky fleet that is currently in use by the White House.

Sikorsky, which was recently sold by United Technologies to Lockheed Martin in a $9 billion deal, has been assembling the next fleet of six presidential “Marine One” helicopters from its facility in Coatesville.

Dan Schultz, who was appointed the new President of Sikorsky by Lockheed Martin after its acquisition of the helicopter manufacturer, has released a statement on the company’s web page.

“The Sikorsky family is saddened to learn of the sudden loss of former President Jeff Pino. We extend our heartfelt condolences and prayers of sympathy and support to his family and friends during this difficult time,” Schultz said. “During his six years as President of Sikorsky, Jeff brought personal energy and passion for aviation innovation to our industry.  It was during his time leading Sikorsky that the company first flew the X2 Technology demonstrator.  We remember Jeff as a leader, pioneer, innovator, and advocate.”

Following the untimely passing of the former president, Sikorky’s Facebook page was inundated with memories and reflections on the man who was loved by his employees.

“The coolest president we ever had,” wrote Charles Romano Jr. “The only president that would actually stop in the hallway or the shop and say hello and ask how you were doing.”