Video: London helicopter crash: aircraft owner's Castle Air express sympathy for victims The crash happened above the site of the 51-storey Vauxhall Tower just before 8am, shearing off the jib of the aircraft before it spiralled on to Nine Elms Lane. Witnesses reported seeing a "massive ball of flames" and a deafening "explosion" after the helicopter plunged more than 700 feet to the ground amid suggestions that the warning lights were obscured by fog. Authorities confirmed the two victims, the pilot, Captain Pete Barnes and a bystander, died at the scene while at least 13 casualties, were reported suffering minor injuries.