Jet Owned by Cowboys' Owner Crashes

TROY, Ala. (AP) â€” A Learjet owned by Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones crashed and burned when it struck two deer while landing, injuring the pilot and co-pilot. <br><br>The two pilots were the only people

Monday, January 15th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

TROY, Ala. (AP) â€” A Learjet owned by Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones crashed and burned when it struck two deer while landing, injuring the pilot and co-pilot.

The two pilots were the only people aboard Sunday and were airlifted to University Hospital in Birmingham.

Max McVicker, 31, of Irving, Texas, remained in critical condition, while Eddie Collins, 51, of Jacksonville, Ark., was upgraded to fair condition, hospital spokeswoman Joy Carter said Monday.

``There was a heroic effort involved by other pilots and ground personnel at the airport that was critical in saving the lives of these two men,'' Jones said. ``Their reactions and efforts were a blessing.''

Dr. Mark Griffin, who treated the pilots in the local emergency room, said the rescuers had used hand-held fire extinguishers and entered the flaming jet.

Cowboys spokesman Rich Dalrymple said the jet had been sent to pick up Cowboys vice president Stephen Jones, who is also the owner's son, and two other members of the organization who were in Alabama on business.

Stephen Jones arrived at the Troy Regional Airport as rescuers were pulling the men from the plane.

The accident happened about 11 a.m., according to the Federal Aviation Administration in Atlanta. Dalrymple said the jet had substantial damage.

The 1994 Lear 60, which has a Cowboys helmet painted on the tail, slid off the end of the 5,000-foot runway after striking the deer, flipped and broke on an embankment. The plane then began to burn.

Kenny Campbell, a Troy businessman, and another man, pulled the pilots out.

Jerry Jones said this was the second time in a month that the jet has struck a deer while landing. He and his son were on board in Parsons, Kan., when the jet hit a deer. No one was hurt, but the collision caused extensive damage to the plane. The plane was repaired and returned to service.