By Police1 Staff
TAMPA, Fla. — An infrared camera from a Tampa police helicopter shows the moment another pilot crash landed and his plane lit up in flames, prompting two officers to run to his rescue.
Tampa police pilot Dave Dennison and his partner heard the pilot’s distress call and hovered over Tampa International Airport, according to Tampa Bay Times.
“I’m running a little bit rough here. I should be able to make it, though,” the pilot — who has not been identified — told air traffic controllers after he reported a low oil indicator.
Dennison and his partner Brian Gentry both gasped minutes later as they watched the aircraft crash in flames, and requested to land.
Gentry doused the aircraft’s engine with a fire extinguisher and dragged the unconscious pilot from the wreckage, according to the report.
The injured pilot remains in the hospital but is expected to survive.