On Wednesday, July 16, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) Aviation Unit responded to assist with the safe extraction of a pilot following a plane crash in difficult terrain approximately one mile west of the Sylacauga Airport.
At approximately 2:17 p.m., ALEA received a call from Lifesaver, a critical care air medical transport program, requesting assistance in locating the downed aircraft. ALEA’s Aviation Unit immediately responded and quickly located the crash site. The plane came to a final rest inverted after descending through dense trees, making ground access extremely difficult.
ALEA’s Aviation Unit then deployed its UH-1H “Huey” helicopter to conduct an aerial extraction. The pilot was safely hoisted from the crash site and transported to the Sylacauga Airport, where the injured pilot was transferred to a Lifesaver helicopter and airlifted to UAB Hospital for further treatment.
ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor commended the professionalism and swift response of all involved and said, “This incident highlights the critical role ALEA Aviation plays in emergency response. The crew’s training and coordination made it possible to safely rescue the pilot in extremely difficult terrain, and we are proud of their efforts and dedication to saving lives.”
ALEA remains committed to supporting first responders and providing vital aviation resources across the state.
