Charleston Authorities Release US Military Pilot's 911 Call After Ejection

The City of Charleston, South Carolina, released audio of a 911 call reporting a US military pilot’s emergency ejection after a malfunction on the aircraft forced him to parachute into the backyard of a residence north of the city on September 17.

At the beginning of the audio, a Charleston resident tells the emergency dispatcher that a pilot landed in his yard. “We got a pilot in the house, I guess he landed in my back yard and we’re trying to see if we can get an ambulance to the house please,” he says, before stating his address.

The pilot can be heard saying, “We have a military jet crash, I’m the pilot. We need to get rescue rolling, I’m not sure where the plane is… It would have crash landed somewhere, I ejected."

On Sunday, the jet went missing after suffering a “mishap,” the US military said, prompting them to appeal to the public about the jet’s location.

The pilot parachuted safely from the aircraft and the plane crashed into a wooded area about 60 miles away, reports said.

The aircraft was found on Monday afternoon, when a state law enforcement helicopter located the jet and debris in a field near Indiantown.

The pilot, who has not been identified by the Marine Corps, did not have serious injuries and has been discharged from the hospital, according to the report. Credit: Charleston County EMS via Storyful

Video transcript

- 911. What's the address of the emergency?

- It's 6938 South Kenwood Drive.

- OK. Tell me exactly what happened.

- They say that-- yeah. You just want me to tell them you got ejected?

- I'm OK. My back hurts a little bit, but I'm OK.

- We-- I guess we got a pilot at our house, and he says he got ejected-- or he ejected from the plane, so we just see if we could get some ambulance please.

- I'm sorry, what happened?

- We got a pilot in the house, and I guess he landed in my backyard, and we're trying to see if we could get an ambulance to the house, please. And the address is 6938 South Kenwood Drive.

- [INAUDIBLE]. OK.

- OK. So, like. OK. What is the phone number that you're calling from? OK. We're getting help on the way. Give me just a moment.

- Yeah, no problem.

- OK. I'm in a house. I made it in a neighborhood. I don't konw what happened. [INAUDIBLE]

- OK. Are you with the patient now?

- Yes.

- OK. How old is the patient?

- I'll talk to you in a little bit.

- How old is the patient?

- 47. We had a military jet crash. I'm the pilot. We need to get a rescue rolling. I'm not sure where the airplane is. It would have crash landed somewhere. I ejected.

- OK. I understand, sir. OK. Just to confirm, how many people are hurt?

- Well, I'm the only one. I'm not sure about my [INAUDIBLE]

- OK. OK. All right. We already have help on the way. Give me just a moment, sir.

- Where am I bleeding from?

- [INAUDIBLE].

- Ah. Yeah, water would be good.

- [INAUDIBLE]

- All right. OK. How far did he fall?

- I was at 2,000 feet.

- OK. OK, and what caused the fall?

- An aircraft failure.

- OK. OK. Is there any serious bleeding?

- I don't know. I can't see myself.

- No, you look fine. Just a couple scratches.

- What did the other person say?

- I feel OK. My back just hurts.

- OK.

- Has there been a report of an airplane crash?

- I have not seen any come up yet. OK. What part of the body was injured?

- Ma'am, I'm a pilot in a military aircraft, and I ejected. So I just rode a parachute down to the ground. Can you please send an ambulance?

- Yes, sir. I've already told you they're on their way. I'm just required to ask these questions while they're in route. OK. We're sending the paramedics to help you now. Stay on the line, and I'll tell you exactly what to do next. Do not move unless you're in danger, and do not splint any injuries. Help is on the way. From now on, don't have anything to eat or drink. It might make you sick or cause further problems.

And don't move unless it's absolutely necessary. Just be still and wait for help to arrive. And before the responders arrive, please put away any pets, and if anything changes, or if you get worse in any way, just call us back immediately for further instructions.

- OK.

- OK.