chopper

One passenger was ejected and landed 10 feet away from the chopper, and another was pinned beneath the wreckage, authorities said.

The chopper remained level at that altitude as its crew pulled within five nautical miles of the blaze.

The chopper lifted off and tilted back north toward a nearby Border Patrol post.

Over the years, pursuit suspects have tried to evade police by driving into parking garages or into Los Angeles International Airport, where there are flight restrictions for news choppers, or trying to run for it.

The choppers, including Black Hawk helicopters traditionally used for military operations, can be remotely programmed to take off, find fires and drop water where it’s needed.