Holy Crap!!
Holy Crap, you never think an international news event is going to happen right in your own neighborhood. I was on the computer Monday afternoon when I heard a sputtering jet coming ever closer. I ran outside and saw a pilot ejecting from an FA-18 Hornet as the plane was on its way down. His parachute deployed as the smoke started billowing from a neighborhood about a mile away. I ran and grabbed my camera, dropped it on the way out, totally destroying my 16-35mm, and headed for the scene with just a 70-200mm. I get there before firefighters only to witness homes, cars on fire and horrific noxious fumes in the air. I shot for about 10 minutes and all the firefighters showed-up. After about another 1/2 hour shooting, I decided to head back and transmit only to find my car sandwiched in between 2 fire trucks. I was then forced to walk home a mile, fun fun!!. What sucks is I have 4 friends all within 3-4 houses from the crash site. Waaaaaay to close for comfort. It changes your perspective as a journalist when you and your neighbors are part of the news. I found myself getting annoyed when some TV guys overheard me telling this story to a buddy and all the sudden I was swarmed with cameras in my face. “How did you feel being a parent of 3 kids knowing there might be a dead child” “How the hell do you think I feel. Oh well, I guess it’s payback for all the times I’ve stuck my lens in a subject’s face.
Anyway, in retrospect, keep your batteries charged and a card in camera because you never know when this kind of thing might happen.
Thanks for sharing! What a crazy crazy story…Stay safe.
mish
Believe it or not, when I heard about this on the radio you were the first thing that came to mind. More fire shots, whoda thought!
Congratulations on the front cover of the NY Times (and so sorry about your 16-35mm). I was on the 805 south just minutes after the event took place and due to the erratic behavior from vehicles on the freeway (besides the everyday) AND in the air, I knew something out of the norm was taking place.
Your advice to keep batteries charged and a clean card in the camera is excellent.
Thanks Annie,
Yeah, it sucks being freelance in that I have to pay for the lens out of my own pocket. Oh well, I get a new toy and a tax write-off.
Hope all is well with you.
Regards
Sandy
Outstanding shot, Sandy. You put the viewer into the fire. Question: Did you actually get any sales for this or other shots?
Thanks Alan. My lungs especially appreciate the credit. I just got a regular day rate from Getty. I’m sure they made out quite a bit better than I did.
This event hit waaaaay too close to home.
Take care
Sandy
Consummate professional response to a breaking news scene. Fine, fine work.
Excellent work Sandy, what a tragic story.
Hey Thanks Jonathan
Dang, my car was just airing out from the Yorba Linda fire. Now there is this disgusting wildfire, diesel fuel, plastic smell that will probably never come out.
Hope you’re doing well and staying busy.
Cheers
Sandy
Great blogging Sandy, I used to live in UC (in Cardiff now) and I’m also on Photoshelter, where I read about this. Glad you and your kids are safe, sorry about the 16-35mm though!
Thanks Kymri.
What a strange experience. Waaaay too close to home!
Take care
Sandy
Wow. Not something you expect to wake up to. I’d seen your Segway image a few weeks back. Just got linked here through another unrelated feed.
Hey James,
Yeah, what a strange experience. Waaaaay to close to home. Definitely something I don’t want to wake up to again.
Cheers
Sandy
[...] Tribune and other publications. Learn more about him and his work at http://www.sandyhuffakerjr.com. Visit his blog to read his post about covering the [...]
[...] writes on his blog about how he got the shots: "I was on the computer Monday afternoon when I heard a sputtering jet coming ever closer. I [...]
What BAD luck for those who were hit. You were so fortunate. Thanks for telling the story from the neighborhood.
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glad to know you’re safe Sandy.
keep up the good work.. ^_^
Amazing experience! You never know what happens day to day!
Always remember, somebody is going to want to see what happened, and if you have a camera, it is your job to record it.
Incredible. Amazing photo and story.
Hey Ted,
Thanks for the kind words. Been a big fan of your work since I moved out to CA in 1991.
He almost made it. He was on final approach but he needed a lot of luck to get it on the ground in one piece. Nobody goes up in an airplane thinking it will crash. But Murphy’s Law say if it can happen it will happen. Nobody IS to “blame.” The pilot did his best. Somewhere back in time “they” should not have approved houses that close to a runway — but then why the approach to San Diego airport — airliners practically taxi down Laurel Street? That’s dangerous (and there was a horrific crash 25 years ago). It’s even worse in Orange County at the John Wayne airport and Los Angeles County). Worse yet — trains carrying extremely dangerous cargoes through residential housing areas. All container ports are dangerous. The MOST dangerous thing you will ever do it drive on the highways (and you do it several times a day). 50,000 killed every year in traffic accidents (since 1950) By far the most dangerous.
He did almost make it. 1 more house and the plane would have gone into the canyon.
I live in the community but have no ill will toward the marines or their training. It was an accident, and a very rare one at that.
I actually enjoy seeing all the cool jets flying around. I’ve seen stealth bombers, Blue Angels, C-140’s and all kind of cool aircraft.
What an amazing shot…I think as a journalist you have to be willing to “stick your lens” in a few faces and that’s “ok”. It does not look like anyone could have done much to help the situtation except record it for everyone else etc.
that must have been really scary, I can only hope all your friends that live nearby were unhurt. Excellent photo.
i hope your camera insurance was paid up? i better check on mine.