The helicopter that crashed on Friday (Sept. 8) and killed Montgomery Gentry singer Troy Gentry and a pilot experienced mechanical issues for several minutes before the fatal accident, 911 audio has revealed.

In 911 audio obtained by the Blast, a dispatcher tells responders to hurry to the Flying W Airport because the helicopter was hovering, waiting for help to arrive before the pilot was going to attempt an emergency landing. The helicopter carrying Gentry had been hovering in distress for several minutes.

The distressed vehicle crashed just after emergency crews arrived, according to the audio. Gentry and the pilot of the aircraft were both killed. Sources tell the Blast that Gentry was pulled from the wreckage and transported to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

12 Country Stars Who Died Too Soon

The 50-year-old country star and his partner Eddie Montgomery were slated to play a concert on Friday evening at the Flying W Airport in Medford, N.J. Rumors of the crash began to circulate Friday afternoon, and within hours reps confirmed the worst.

Gentry's grieving family issued a statement Friday thanking fans for their prayers.

"Troy Gentry’s family wishes to acknowledge all of the kind thoughts and prayers, and asks for privacy at this time," a representative at Average Joe’s writes on their behalf.

Montgomery Gentry racked up  20 hit songs on Billboard‘s Hot Country Songs charts in the '90s and 2000s, hitting No. 1 with “If You Ever Stop Loving Me,” “Something to Be Proud Of,” “Lucky Man,” “Back When I Knew It All” and “Roll With Me.” They also scored 10 other Top 10 hits.

They won Duo of the Year at the CMA Awards and the ACM Awards in 2000, and Montgomery Gentry were invited to join the Grand Ole Opry in 2009.

Other country stars reacted with stunned sadness via Twitter to the news of Gentry's death.

Country Singers Remember Troy Gentry

More From Lonestar 99-5 FM