A dramatic scene unfolded near Highway 101 in Goleta when a Cirrus SR22 aircraft crashed into an open field, deploying its emergency parachute moments before impact. The plane, owned by a company linked to famed Hollywood director Robert Zemeckis, went down just north of the Storke Road offramp around 2:16 p.m. on January 29, 2025.

A CHP Officer’s Quick Thinking Saves a Life

CHP Officer Ayala was conducting a routine traffic stop on Los Carneros Road when he saw the aircraft descending under parachute. Without hesitation, he abandoned the stop, rushed to the scene, and leaped over a chain-link fence to reach the burning wreckage.

One of the pilots was crawling from the aircraft, badly injured, while flames rapidly spread. Ayala pulled the pilot to safety, just seconds before an explosion consumed what little remained of the plane. Meanwhile, the second pilot managed to escape on her own and was helped by civilians on the scene. The two occupants—a 29-year-old man and a 33-year-old woman—were transported to the hospital with serious injuries.

Cirrus CAPS: A Last-Chance Lifesaver

The Cirrus SR22 is equipped with the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS)—a built-in emergency parachute designed to give pilots and passengers a fighting chance in otherwise fatal situations. The system has been credited with saving over 250 lives, with data showing a survival rate of over 85% in documented deployments. CAPS is typically used when pilots lose control, experience engine failure, or face an unrecoverable emergency at 500 feet or higher, allowing the parachute to fully deploy and slow the plane’s descent. While it doesn’t guarantee a soft landing, it drastically increases the chances of survival—especially in open terrain.

Fire and Investigation

Santa Barbara County Fire crews responded quickly, battling the intense flames that ignited nearby vegetation. Investigators are now determining whether the fire started before or after impact and continue to examine the cause of the accident.