Helicopter pilot in fatal Payne County crash thought of 'safety first'

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- An Oklahoma City attorney says the pilot who died in a helicopter crash last weekend was responsible and would not allow alcohol on the aircraft.<br/><br/>Attorney Bill Daniel arranged

Wednesday, June 30th 2004, 5:44 am

By: News On 6

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- An Oklahoma City attorney says the pilot who died in a helicopter crash last weekend was responsible and would not allow alcohol on the aircraft.

Attorney Bill Daniel arranged for pilot Darrell Jameson to give free helicopter rides at a birthday party in Cushing before the helicopter crashed, killing Jameson and a passenger.

Three others were also injured in the crash Saturday night near Cushing.

Daniel says he was unaware Jameson had hit a power line while flying once before. The attorney says Jameson had flown him at least 15 times before without incident.

He says Jameson always thought of "safety first."

A federal investigator says the cause of the accident remains under investigation.