The family of ex-MLB pitcher Roy Halladay insist he was an extremely responsible pilot ... despite witness claims he was hot-dogging before the crash.
"Just as he was known for his work ethic in baseball, [Roy] was also widely respected by those who knew him in the aviation community for his hard work, attention to detail and dedication to safety while flying," the family said in a statement.
TMZ Sports spoke with multiple witnesses who say Roy's plane was making extreme and unusual changes in altitude while flying over the Gulf of Mexico on Tuesday before the fatal crash.