Flight instructor who died in crash had ‘infectious laugh, beautiful smile’

18-year-old student pilot also killed in Friday’s crash

FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla. – The flight instructor killed when a plane crashed into the St. Marys River on Friday was also a father.

His wife identified the victim as 66-year-old David Cuttino, sharing the news of his death on Facebook on Saturday morning.

“I can’t grasp the fact I will never again hear his Dad jokes, infectious laugh, beautiful smile, or take an afternoon nap on his shoulder, along with his favorite cats,” the post reads. “David was my heart and soul. I cannot put into words how much I love him.”

In addition to Cuttino, student pilot Alexis George, 18, was also killed. Both were Fernandina Beach residents.

A preliminary report by Florida Highway Patrol says the single-engine Cessna 150 had an unknown malfunction while flying out of the Fernandina Beach Airport.

Witnesses saw the plane nosedive into the river.

Police said it would’ve been Cuttino’s last day working at A-Cent Aviation Inc., which issued a statement saying, “A-Cent Aviation is a family, and we are devastated by this terrible event. Our hearts go out to the families of the flight instructor and student.”

Cuttino’s wife said her husband, “loved everyone and everything and had a heart of pure gold,” adding he was a man of God and lived his life that way.

She says he was a man of God and lived his life that way.


About the Author:

A Florida-born, Emmy Award winning journalist and proud NC A&T SU grad