A VERY close call for this pilot in Pacoima CA
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A VERY close call for this pilot in Pacoima CA
A Cessna 172H had an engine failure after takeoff from Whiteman Airport and ended up on railway tracks. Great work by LAPD officers getting the pilot out before the train arrived.
Another view of the really close call:
https://abc7.com/pacoima-plane-down-...aved/11447057/
He almost made it:
Another view of the really close call:
https://abc7.com/pacoima-plane-down-...aved/11447057/
He almost made it:
Last edited by India Four Two; 11th Jan 2022 at 02:34. Reason: Added map; type is 172H
Extraordinary rescue of pilot by police seconds before train hits plane
Light plane crashes onto a railway crossing, in California, Twitter has police bodycam footage of the rescue of pilot just 5 seconds before a train ploughs into the wreckage.
Police bodycam
bystander ducks wreckage
Police bodycam
bystander ducks wreckage
Last edited by mickjoebill; 10th Jan 2022 at 10:23. Reason: Fix links
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It was reported he did an emergency landing on the tracks. Airplane was complete except for the damage caused when the nose gear eventually touched down on the crossties.
Should make for an interesting NTSB investigation. Do they have to call in railroad experts and aircraft experts ?
Should make for an interesting NTSB investigation. Do they have to call in railroad experts and aircraft experts ?
Very brave policemen.
Kudos to the first responders.
One wonders, though, whether there had been any attempt (presumably unsuccessful) to pull the Cessna, which appeared to be still on its mainwheels, out of the path of the train before extricating the pilot.
While the train obviously wasn't in any danger from hitting the aircraft, the bystanders certainly were:
One wonders, though, whether there had been any attempt (presumably unsuccessful) to pull the Cessna, which appeared to be still on its mainwheels, out of the path of the train before extricating the pilot.
While the train obviously wasn't in any danger from hitting the aircraft, the bystanders certainly were:
Very well done those LAPD officers. That took a great deal of courage and they are true heroes. I trust that they will get the recognition they fully deserve!
Totally valid point, But, Whiteman is certainly not the only airport, small GA or airline, to be situated like that. The LA area, like many other spots around the world, has many of those "small" GA-only aerodromes that were originally built outside the city limits, are now surrounded by urban sprawl and congestion.
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I was thinking that, the fact that the tape is up, all the rescue services are parked up on the other side of the crossing and people are stood videoing, why on earth didn't someone get the train stopped up the line. Seems a bit odd to me tbh. You'd think as soon as the plane crashes the tower and or police would tell the railroad company to stop all trains.
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why on earth didn't someone get the train stopped up the line. Seems a bit odd to me tbh. You'd think as soon as the plane crashes the tower and or police would tell the railroad company to stop all trains.
I would assume that with the number of officers on scene there could only be a limited number who could physically attempt to free the pilot. Others may have busied themselves securing the scene. It wouldn't have taken that long to put that tape up. Again, others may have been in the process of contacting the rail authorities to stop all trains. For sure that train was travelling at considerable speed. No doubt the facts will eventually emerge but I'd like to believe that pilot extraction had begun whilst others put the tape up.
I was thinking that, the fact that the tape is up, all the rescue services are parked up on the other side of the crossing and people are stood videoing, why on earth didn't someone get the train stopped up the line. Seems a bit odd to me tbh. You'd think as soon as the plane crashes the tower and or police would tell the railroad company to stop all trains.
I would imagine police officers/first responders have it on speed dial.
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That airport has been there for at least the last 60+ years. It was just an uncontrolled dirt strip initially with another small uncontrolled airport very close by. (San Fernando). More than one mid air over the years.