Burning Helicopter Emergency Lands Near San-O (Video)

Black smoke billowed from the I-5 Freeway late Friday afternoon, as a military helicopter engulfed in flames made an emergency landing on the roadside between San Onofre State Beach and Oceanside. Drivers slammed on their brakes to get a look, adding to the hellish pre-weekend traffic.

While driving that stretch myself, heading towards Orange County, I snagged a video from the passenger seat:

The chopper was engulfed in flames on the westward side of the freeway, towards the ocean. At first glance, it looked like a crash landing, due to the chopper laying somewhat on its side. Silhouetted figures stood about 100 yards off from the burning wreckage, presumably the pilots and passengers involved in the incident. Smoke could be seen for miles in either direction of the scene.

What had happened? A quick Google search hours afterwards explained.

It was a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter, which belonged to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, involved in the incident, and it was exercising a routine training flight when the craft caught fire over Camp Pendleton. Just after 3:00pm on Friday, the chopper made an emergency landing due to the flames. All four crewmembers involved were able to walk away from the fire unharmed.