On Thursday, June 26, 2003, at 2025 hours, the Engine 1214 and Medic 1294 from Vista Fire Department were dispatched to a reported aircraft down in the area of Sycamore Ave at La Mirada Ave. in the city of Vista, California (Vista Alarm #3972)
The first fire unit on scene reported a single engine aircraft down. Engine 1214 crew assisted by medic unit 1294 immediately confirmed that both male occupants of the aircraft had escaped on their own and were not injured.
Fire Crews stabilized the aircraft to prevent movement and secured a fuel leak from the left wing tank. A special call added Battalion Chief 1203 Jeff Hahn to the scene to assist with logistics.
The flight instructor and a student pilot reported that the aircraft lost power and they were attempting an emergency landing at Palamar Airport in Carlsbad, California.
The airplane lost altitude and was unable to make the airport causing the pilot to choose a flat industrial area in the Vista Business Park area for a crash landing.
While attempting the landing, a wing clipped a tree in the center median of the roadway causing the plane to crash into an embankment.
Both occupants were not injured in this incident and the NTSB is investigating the crash.
Vista is in Southern California (San Diego County) and has a City and district area made up of 40 square miles of canyons, rural, city and industrial parks. The population is 100,000 people and the fire protection is provided by the City of Vista Fire Department. The Vista Fire Department is made up of 70 career firefighters and staff with 4 stations. Vista Fire Department provides EMS, Fire and heavy rescue services, along with fire investigation and fire prevention services.
