CALIFORNIA — LA Sheriff Helicopter Follows Motorized Paraglider Flying Near Jail Access Roads in Castaic, Ordered Him to Land
A motorized hangglider was spotted by Santa Clarita Valley sheriff’s deputies flying southbound over the 5 freeway and what initially appeared to be over a jail in Castaic Monday at about 5:30PM. Deputies radioed to a sheriff’s helicopter crew who soon began following the aircraft.
Patrol deputies, jail deputies and the sheriff’s patrol airship monitored and followed the glider as it traversed through the air space by the Peter J. Pitches Detention Center in Castaic. The aircraft’s unusual proximity to the jail and possible intentions of the pilot necessitated investigation.
The Sheriff’s Air 29 helicopter crew used their siren and public address system to order the pilot to land, and after over ten minutes he landed near the Tapia Canyon Paintball Center in Castaic. The sheriff’s helicopter crew landed, got out of their helicopter, and detained the man pending the arrival of patrol deputies.
Jail deputies reported they had watched the flight of the pilot closely and saw he did not fly directly over the jails, but he flew directly over nearby jail access roads. Deputies watched and did not see the pilot drop anything from the motorized paraglider.
Deputies detained and identified the pilot, who is a 67-year old male resident of Northridge. He apologized repeatedly and said he was flying in the area and winds blew him to the area near the jail facility. He did not have any contraband. He was released at the scene and was not arrested. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.
