Billowing smoke and flames were seen after a military helicopter made an emergency landing off Interstate 5 near Camp Pendleton on Friday, according to California Highway Patrol officials.

Black smoke billowed from the I-5 Freeway late Friday afternoon, as a military helicopter engulfed in flames made an emergency landing on the roadside between San Onofre State Beach and Oceanside. Drivers slammed on their brakes to get a look, adding to the hellish pre-weekend traffic.

The California Highway Patrol warned drivers about possible traffic delays along the I-5 Freeway Friday afternoon after a military helicopter made an emergency landing at Camp Pendleton. It landed near the Aliso Creek Rest Area along the northbound side of the freeway.

The chopper touched down in an open area west of the freeway and north of the Aliso Creek Rest Area on the grounds of the Marine base at about 4 p.m., according to the California Highway Patrol. Despite the fire,

A helicopter burned at Camp Pendleton on Friday after it was forced to make an emergency landing, according to a spokesman with the California Highway Patrol.

A U.S. Marine Corps helicopter’s engine caught fire midflight Friday afternoon, prompting the aircraft to make an emergency landing at Camp Pendleton.

The incident occurred after a CH-53E Super Stallion — a heavy-lift helicopter used by the U.S. Marines to transport troops and equipment from ships to shore — experienced an engine fire in flight around 4:10 p.m., the Marine Corps said in a statement posted to X, formerly known as Twitter.

A military helicopter made an emergency landing at Camp Pendleton Friday night. The helicopter caught fire, smoke was visible from the 5 Freeway. Everyone on board was able to escape safely. OCEANSIDE, Calif. - A military helicopter had to make an emergency landing at Camp Pendleton in San Diego County Friday night.

A military helicopter caught fire after the aircraft experienced an engine failure mid-flight. Fox - 10 Phoenix Fox - 10 Phoenix