LAPD officers honored for bravery after saving downed pilot from train crash

Oxman

Well-Known Member
Um....Hi insurance company, you're not going to believe this but......


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LOS ANGELES – Pilot Mark Jenkins miraculously survived when his plane crashed onto railroad tracks in Southern California in January, and was then saved by LAPD officers from an oncoming Metrolink train that slammed into the downed aircraft.

The small single-engine airplane was a Cessna 172. It came down on the Metrolink Antelope Valley line train tracks Jan. 9. Officers rescued Jenkins with mere seconds to spare, Law Officer reported at the time.


So after nearly losing his life twice in a matter of minutes, the pilot is forever grateful.

On Saturday, Jenkins and the Condor Squadron, with which he is associated, honored his rescuers for their courage and bravery, according to KTLA.

“I’m so glad I have four friends with the LAPD who rescued me and saved my life,” Jenkins said.

The officers recalled the perilous circumstances on a day they saved the man’s life.

“At first, I couldn’t really believe it, seeing the arms of the train track coming down … I just thought it’s going to get worse. It couldn’t get any worse, and then it just did,” said LAPD Officer Robert Sherock.

“It’s like the stars were aligned that day. I wasn’t even supposed to be there. I was on vacation that day and came in to work some overtime. I was coming back from another call, and I don’t usually take that way back to the station, but I was able to see the plane go down,” Sgt. Joseph Cavestany recalled.

“Just thinking back on that moment, hearing the train and feeling the vibrations through the floor and just hearing the crumpling metal, I was like, ‘Wow, that was really close.’ I’m thankful we’re alive and Mark’s alive,” Officer Christopher Aboyte noted.

LAPD Chief Michel Moore was also present to offer praise for his officers.

“I’m proud of the fact that a typical day went to high-crisis mode and they responded not just professional but with valor and the desire to save a life,” Moore said.


Although the officers insist they were simply doing their duty, the Condor Squadron took them for a ride as a gesture of thanks, KTLA reported.

“We were just doing our jobs. God put us in the right place at the right time and we were able to do our job,” said Officer Damien Castro.

It was unclear what brought the aircraft down after taking off from Pacoima’s Whiteman Airport in the San Fernando Valley. Jenkins was the sole occupant aboard.

According to Condor Squadron’s website:

“The Condor Squadron is a group of aviation enthusiasts dedicated to preserving the memory of those who have served our country over the years. One of our main activities is memorial flights in restored North American Aviation AT-6/SNJ trainers originally flown during World War II.

“After the war ended the venerable old planes were often assigned to National Guard and other units for training purposes. In 1962 several members of the 146th Fighter Group formed the Condor Squadron as a search and rescue unit of the Civil Air Patrol.

“Today, The Condor Squadron fly formation for Parades, Celebrations & Memorials as well as perform other community services.”
 
Here's the video.............man, they just hauled/dragged his ass along the pavement in literal seconds before the train hit the plane. Terrific job! They never hesitated even for a moment, to extract him from his aircraft either.

Hit/click on the Watch on You Tube to view it:

 
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The four of them probably could have moved the plane with less trouble!

Good job. Four cops on one guy usually results in multiple cell phone videos…..
 
Look like Whiteman lost another one today (4/20).

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Date:20-APR-2022
Time:
Type:
Silhouette image of generic C337 model; specific model in this crash may look slightly different

Cessna 337
Owner/operator:Private
Registration:N143JB
MSN:337-0102
Fatalities:Fatalities: / Occupants:
Aircraft damage:Written off (damaged beyond repair)
Category:Accident
Location:Whitman, CA -
N.gif
United States of America
Phase:Initial climb
Nature:Unknown
Departure airport:
Destination airport:
Confidence Rating:
3.gif
Information is only available from news or social media reports
Narrative:
The aircraft crashed after takeoff.
 
The guy not only survived a plane crash, a train crash, but even a encounter with the LAPD. Dude needs to go play the lottery.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I understand the part of your post referring to the plane and the train, but I think the part about the LAPD is not only distasteful but also misguided. I'll happily admit that a very small portion of any group might be unsavory, but the overwhelming majority of the LAPD officers I've ever dealt with, in either a professional, civilian or casual setting have been fine people. I think you have no idea what you're talking about.
 
Look like Whiteman lost another one today (4/20).

View attachment 64426


Date:20-APR-2022
Time:
Type:
Silhouette image of generic C337 model; specific model in this crash may look slightly different

Cessna 337
Owner/operator:Private
Registration:N143JB
MSN:337-0102
Fatalities:Fatalities: / Occupants:
Aircraft damage:Written off (damaged beyond repair)
Category:Accident
Location:Whitman, CA -
N.gif
United States of America
Phase:Initial climb
Nature:Unknown
Departure airport:
Destination airport:
Confidence Rating:
3.gif
Information is only available from news or social media reports
Narrative:
The aircraft crashed after takeoff.
Narrative:
A Cessna 337 Super Skymaster was destroyed when it impacted the terrain shortly after takeoff on the downwind leg from Rwy 12 at Whiteman Airport (WHP), Sylmar, California.
The sole pilot onboard was fatally injured.

The ATC transmitted “saw that Skymaster fall out of the sky, can you check if he’s on the freeway?”, he asked at least one other pilot in a tower broadcast at 12:27 p.m. “I visually observed it about 2.5 miles northwest of the 210/118 interchange there.”

The airplane came to the rest inverted in an embankment alongside the northbound 210 Freeway.
 
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