An owl was caught on camera catching a ride in a firefighting helicopter after it swooped into the aircraft to escape the danger.
The owlmazing moment took place in the California sky above the Sierra National Forest as crews battled the Creek Fire on Sunday.
At around 12.30 in the afternoon, an own approached the UH-1 Huey Helicopter and entered it through a tiny 16-inch window in what is believed to be an attempt to escape the fire.
After catching a lift, the owl allegedly stayed inside the Sky Aviation aircraft piloted by Dan Alpiner for about 10 minutes before deciding to fly away.
“It kind of spooked me for a second there and we kind of locked eyes and the thing looked around and was chill. And then I was like, ‘OK then, you are going to work with me,’” Alpiner said in an interview with KMPH.
As a helicopter flying instructor confirmed after the story went viral, the owl must have been swooping through the sky at the same speed as the aircraft in order for the animal to successfully pull off the dangerous stunt.
“It would have to be perfect timing. As far as the bird going in there, it seems crazy. I guess it is just a daring bird,” Matthew Dowdy said.
Following the owl’s incredible performance, Sky Aviation has called the moment a “magical miracle.”
“It’s odd to have an owl enter an aircraft. It’s unheard of to have it enter while the helo is in-flight,” they said.
“It’s an unexplainable and magical miracle for it to stay with you for several water drops, then leave just as it arrived – safe and unannounced.”
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