Helicopter crash ‘horrifying,‘ passenger recalls

Copter crash called 'horrifying' Passenger praises pilot's ability to put craft down on a road

Two men in a helicopter that crashed on a Richmond road and hit a car were recovering yesterday at their homes in Lunenburg County.

"My shoulder's a little sore, but all things considered, I think that's a pretty cheap price," said Paul D. Jackson, pilot and owner of the 1993 Robinson R22 Beta two-seat helicopter.

Jackson, 46, of Victoria, and his friend Jamie Long, 35, of Lunenburg were treated for minor injuries at VCU Medical Center and released yesterday morning.

George Mallory Smith, 54, of Richmond was driving a 1990 Buick on Walmsley Boulevard near Atlantic Avenue when its hood was struck by the chopper's propeller, Virginia State Police said.

Smith, who was wearing his seat belt, also was treated for minor injuries at the hospital. He could not be reached for comment yesterday.

Jackson and Long had flown Saturday from Lunenburg to Richmond International Airport, where the Virginia Helicopter Association held an event.

The featured speaker was Middleburg resident Scott Kasprowicz, a retired business executive and former Virginia deputy secretary of transportation who flew a helicopter around the world in 11 days.

On the way home, the chopper's engine cut off a few minutes after they left the airport, Long said. Jackson tried to perform an auto-rotation emergency maneuver, state police said Saturday.

The chopper fell about 900 feet, hitting some power lines before striking the car, according to the state police.

"Going down was horrific," Long recalled yesterday. "There are no words other than it was horrifying."

He said he remembers thinking his death was imminent.

"I was just hoping for the best," he said.

Long said Jackson did a good job crash-landing on the road instead of landing on a house.

"He didn't have too many options," Long said.

The helicopter wreckage was moved to Richmond International, and an investigation is under way.

State police are assisting the Federal Aviation Administration in the probe, and the National Transportation Safety Board has been notified.

Contact Reed Williams at (804) 649-6332 or .