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A California Highway Patrol officer rescued a pilot from a fiery plane crash just moments before an explosion on January 29th.
The incident happened “in Goleta, about nine miles west of Santa Barbara,” KTLA noted.
“Officer Ayala was conducting a routine enforcement stop on Los Carneros Road, just north of US 101, when a sudden, explosion rocked the air. Startled, he looked up to see an aircraft’s ballistic recovery system deployed. He observed the plane’s deployed parachute. A small aircraft had crashed in an empty field just beyond the road,” CHP – Santa Barbara wrote on Facebook.
“Without hesitation, Officer Ayala abandoned the traffic stop, letting the driver go without issuing a citation. He immediately entered northbound US 101 and, as he approached the crash site, saw the crashed plane engulfed in flames. Realizing time was critical, he pulled over onto the right shoulder, jumped a chain-link freeway perimeter fence, and sprinted toward the burning aircraft,” the post continued.
“As he made emergency notifications, calling for the Santa Barbara County Fire Department and ambulance, the smell of burning fuel filled the air. He spotted movement and observed the severely injured pilot crawling out of the aircraft. The fire was spreading rapidly and threatening to consume the wreckage entirely. Officer Ayala didn’t hesitate. He grabbed the pilot’s arms and pulled with all his strength, dragging the injured pilot away from the growing flames. Just as they stumbled a few yards to safety, an explosion erupted behind them. The plane was now fully engulfed in flames,” it added.
A California Highway Patrol (CHP) officer is being hailed as a hero after rescuing a pilot just moments before a small aircraft was engulfed in flames following a crash near U.S. 101 on Jan. 29, authorities said.https://t.co/qv2tuApLD4
— The Epoch Times (@EpochTimes) February 1, 2025
From The Epoch Times:
According to the CHP, the plane’s passenger managed to escape on her own, and two bystanders rushed in to help. Ayala directed one civilian to assist the passenger while another remained on-site to help first responders.
Both the pilot and passenger were transported to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital for treatment.
The CHP also expressed appreciation for the civilians who assisted in the rescue.
A California Highway Patrol officer in Santa Barbara County is being hailed a hero after he rushed to the flaming wreckage of a plane crash and dragged the pilot to safety just seconds before an explosion. https://t.co/U5JnfXx50V pic.twitter.com/6cOWbCI5Ni
— KTLA (@KTLA) January 31, 2025
Per KTLA:
Both the pilot, a 29-year-old man, and his passenger, a 33-year-old woman, were taken to a local hospital for treatment of major injuries.
“Thanks to Officer Ayala’s quick thinking and bravery, a tragedy was averted,” CHP officials said. “His heroic actions were a testament to his unwavering dedication to public safety service and to those who risk their lives to save others.”
The driver who was pulled over and whose traffic stop Ayala abandoned was let off with a warning.
The crash is currently under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration.
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