What did Ricardo Ayala do? CHP officer hailed as hero for rescuing pilot after plane crash in California

A few days ago, California’s Santa Barbara was rocked by a plane crash near US Highway 101. The incident also saw the heroics of CHP (California Highway Patrol) Officer Ricardo Ayala, who saved the life of a severely injured pilot by pulling him out of the blazing aircraft.

A plane crashed between Los Carneros Road and Storke Roads, north of US 101, at 02:15 pm on Wednesday, January 29, 2025. Around the time of the crash, Officer Ayala was near the site while conducting a routine enforcement stop as part of his regular duties, the California Highway Patrol Officer and other onlookers were startled by an explosion in the sky.

Upon hearing an explosion, Officer Ayala looked skywards and observed an aircraft with its BRS (ballistic recovery system) and parachute being deployed as it soon came crashing nearby in an empty field. The California Highway Patrol Officer, positioned close to the crash site, rushed towards the plane, abandoning the traffic spot, letting the driver off with a warning, and reached the scene.

CHP Santa Barbara wrote in a social media post, revealing the details of the incident,

“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.”

He notified the emergency teams – Santa Barbara County Fire Department and ambulance – to reach the spot and climbed over a chain-link fence on the freeway. Officer Ayala reached the spot and observed the pilot crawling out of the plane while the smell of burning fuel had already filled the air.

The California Highway Patrol Officer displayed his bravery as he approached the badly wounded pilot and pulled him out to safety before a second explosion happened.

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California Highway Patrol Officer Ayala and an onlooker saved the lives of two plane crash victims

The small plane, Cirrus SR22, that crashed near US 101 between Los Carneros Road and Storke Roads had two people aboard. It took off from the close by Santa Barbara Municipal Airport around 1:44 pm, according to FlightRadar24. As the plane crashed, the pilot was rescued by Officer Ayala, while two civilians rushed to assist him.

The passenger - a 33-year-old woman - was able to “self-extricate from the aircraft,” according to CHP Santa Barbara’s social media post. She was helped by one of the civilians on the spot to safety and was later sent to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, along with the pilot. However, the authorities didn’t reveal the victims’ identities.

CHP Santa Barbara appreciated Officer Ayala and civilians in its post depicting the incident. The post concluded with,

“Both the pilot and the passenger were transported to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital for medical treatment. Thanks to Officer Ayala’s quick thinking and bravery, a tragedy was averted. His heroic actions were a testament to his unwavering dedication to public safety service and to those who risk their lives to save others. A special thank you to the civilians who assisted with the plane’s passenger.”

Shortly after the incident, the vegetation also caught fire at the crash site due to the burning plane. The firefighting personnel put it out, while the authorities briefly closed the area on Wednesday.