Pittsylvania County, VA (BTW21) — March 17, 2025 — New details have emerged regarding the fatal helicopter crash in Pittsylvania County on Saturday afternoon.
Virginia State Police have identified the pilot as 72-year-old Paul Jackson, who tragically passed away in the crash.
Tyler Jones, who witnessed the events leading up to the crash, recounted seeing Jackson outside of the Jones Market convenience store on Mount Cross Road. "I seen him over there, he was talking on the phone at the time I came outside and he jumped in the helicopter. Sounded like it was running rough, he proceeded, he took off, he went behind the house, circled back around, came up towards Campview and I lost him in the fog," Jones said.
Jones continued, describing the frightening moments that followed: "I just heard a big explosion and I didn't hear the helicopter no more, so I jumped in my truck, came up here, seen it was on fire, called 911. In the process of calling 911, it exploded."
According to Virginia State Police, Jackson had just finished a helicopter tour and dropped off his passengers before stopping at Jones Market.
After leaving the store lot, Jackson’s helicopter crashed about a quarter mile later on Campview Road.
The exact reason for his stop at the market remains unclear.
Angela Glenn, a cashier at the convenience store, expressed concern for Jackson's safety. "I just said why didn't he stay where he was landed at. Our regular customers come here, we're all like one big family.
Somebody would have helped him get to where he needed to go or get him some help.
Why didn't he just stay landed?" Glenn said, reflecting on what could have been done to prevent the tragedy.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are investigating the cause of the crash.
Both agencies were on scene Sunday and announced plans to recover the helicopter on Monday.
As of now, the investigation is ongoing, and officials are working to determine the cause of the crash.
The community is mourning the loss of Paul Jackson, who was well known in the area.