Prison Guard Honored Following Fatal Riverside County Plane Crash

NORCO, CA — A local prison guard was recognized Friday as a hero for his quick action which saved his life and the lives of six others when he hustled them to safety inside a shipping container as a plane crashed mere feet away at the California Rehabilitation Center in Norco.

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation held its 35th annual Medal of Valor Ceremony, honoring 98 individuals who performed extraordinary acts benefiting the agency and public. Among them was CDCR Officer Robert Dickson, who on April 22, 2019, was imperiled with inmates and members of a construction crew as they walked across the CRC yard in the early afternoon.

As Dickson related to City News Service on the one-year anniversary of the accident, a twin-engine experimental aircraft went out of control directly above the prison after one of its engines failed.

"I heard the airplane, and the sound caught my attention, so I looked up," he recalled. "`It flew over us and rolled over, then started coming back down toward my position, going northwest. I was in disbelief. I thought, 'There is no way this is happening."'

Recognizing the plane was about to crash, Dickson said he yelled at the six men who were with him — two inmates and four construction workers — to "Get out of the way!" and then directed them into a Conex Box used for storage, similar to ones carried on the backs of big rigs.

"Two to three seconds later, there was an impact," the officer said. "I didn't see it, but I felt it, and there was large fiery debris going through the air. Pieces were striking the Conex Box. Thankfully, no one was hit."

Dickson then helped the men negotiate a "wall of flame" to get away from the crash site.

A prisoner suffered minor scrapes and bruises, but there were no other injuries, according to CDCR officials.

"This year's honorees show that the bravery and professionalism of our staff extends beyond institution walls," CDCR Secretary Ralph Diaz said. "Our employees keep order, ensure safety, encourage rehabilitation and serve the people of California."

For his actions, Dickson received the agency's highest honor — a Gold Star.

The crash involved the last of the N9Ms manufactured by aerospace engineer Jack Northrop. There were three others lost decades ago.

Seasoned aviator David Michael Vopat, 59, of Chino was at the controls of the "flying wing" and died in the accident. Prison officials believe he was battling to the last second to keep the plane from hitting buildings on the prison grounds, all of which were occupied.

For several years, Vopat had been flying the N9M, which was restored as part of a 15-year-long volunteer project in the 1980s and 90s. He was taking the experimental aircraft out for practice maneuvers ahead of the Planes of Fame Air Museum's annual airshow at Chino Airport when the accident happened.

The National Transportation Safety Board is continuing its investigation, and a report could be issued at any time, according to the agency.