SYLACAUGA, AL – On Wednesday, July 16, 2025, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) Aviation Unit played a key role in the successful rescue of a pilot after a plane crash in rugged terrain near the Sylacauga Airport.
At approximately 2:17 p.m., ALEA received a request for assistance from Lifesaver, a critical care air medical transport service, to help locate and extract a downed aircraft. The plane had crashed approximately one mile west of the airport and came to rest upside down in a heavily wooded area, making access by ground nearly impossible.
ALEA’s Aviation Unit quickly responded, deploying aerial resources to locate the crash site. Once located, the agency used its UH-1H “Huey” helicopter to conduct a hoist rescue. The pilot was safely extracted from the wreckage and transported by helicopter to the Sylacauga Airport. From there, the injured pilot was transferred to a Lifesaver medical helicopter and flown to UAB Hospital in Birmingham for further treatment.
ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor praised the team’s quick action and professionalism, emphasizing the importance of the agency’s aviation capabilities in emergency response scenarios.
ALEA continues to provide vital aviation support to first responders across Alabama, helping ensure timely and effective assistance during critical incidents.
