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Copter makes hard landing near Caladesi Island; no injuries

News Channel 8 photo by MICHAEL EGGER

After the helicopter made the hard landing and the passengers walked away, the craft ended up submerged.

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By JOSH POLTILOVE | The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 24, 2009

Updated: 07/24/2009 10:22 pm

A helicopter made a hard landing into the water near Caladesi Island late Friday afternoon, but the three people on board weren't injured, Pinellas County deputies say.

The privately-owned gray-and-red Robinson 44 helicopter crashed into water about 7-feet deep, said Dunedin Fire Division Chief Bill McElligott. It remains completely submerged.

Richard Riley, operations director for Clearwater Fire & Rescue, said it was "a very gentle crash. I guess as gentle as a crash can be."

The helicopter was piloted by Gerald L. Reilly, 66, of Tampa. The passengers were Longwood residents Michael Lasky, 47, and Judy L. Lasky, 46. The registered owner is CFMC Inc. in Tampa.

"A helicopter pilot landed his machine in the water off Caladesi Island Friday evening after unknown mechanical or electrical problems occurred," a Pinellas County Sheriff's Office news release states. "The pilot and his passengers, a married couple, were able to exit the aircraft, don life preservers and float to shore where they were met by a responding Caladesi Island Park Ranger."

The rental helicopter departed from Peter O. Knight Airport this afternoon, deputies say. The trio was heading along the coast when the saw dolphins and turned around to get a better view.

Reilly said that when turning back south, the helicopter's control panel indicated problems, deputies say. Reilly tried landing on the beach but instead landed about 200 feet offshore.

Clearwater Fire & Rescue responded about 6:24 p.m., checking out the three victims on shore and taking them to Fire Station 46 at Sand Key. The trio refused medical treatment and didn't appear to have serious injuries.

"I think they were still in a little bit of shock – obviously nobody wants to be in a crash – but they were in very good spirits," Riley said.

The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office's marine unit, the Coast Guard and Clearwater fire personnel and the fire departments from Dunedin and Palm Harbor helped at the scene.

A Caladesi Island park ranger helped the three people after the crash, deputies say.

News Channel 8 reporter Natalie Shepherd contributed to this report. Reporter Josh Poltilove can be reached at (813) 259-7691.

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