Helicopter Crash in Huntington Beach Injures Five, Investigation Underway

A helicopter crash in Huntington Beach on Saturday afternoon, October 11, 2025, resulted in five people being hospitalized and sparked a multi-agency investigation. The incident, which occurred around 2:00 p.m. local time near the Pacific Coast Highway, saw the aircraft spin out of control before crashing into palm trees and a pedestrian bridge. The dramatic event was widely captured and shared across social media platforms, drawing immediate public attention.

laist.com reported, Authorities confirmed that two individuals from the helicopter and three pedestrians on the ground were among those transported to local hospitals for treatment. Their conditions were not immediately disclosed. The crash site, located between Beach Boulevard and Twin Dolphins Drive, was quickly secured by Huntington Beach Police and Fire Department personnel, leading to the closure of a section of the Pacific Coast Highway.

The helicopter involved was reportedly associated with the "Cars 'N Copters On the Coast" event, an annual fundraiser scheduled for Sunday, October 12, 2025, which organizers stated would proceed despite the accident. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have been notified and are leading the ongoing investigation to determine the cause of the crash.

cbsnews.com noted, Eyewitness accounts and social media footage depicted the helicopter descending erratically, with some reports suggesting it was spinning before impact. The wreckage was found wedged between a pedestrian staircase and palm trees near the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort and Spa. The incident has prompted questions regarding helicopter safety at public events and the immediate response of emergency services.

• The helicopter crash occurred on Saturday, October 11, 2025, around 2:00 p.m. local time in Huntington Beach, California. The incident took place near the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), specifically between Beach Boulevard and Twin Dolphins Drive, impacting a pedestrian bridge and palm trees close to the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort and Spa and the Waterfront Beach Resort.
• Five individuals were hospitalized following the crash. This included two people who were onboard the helicopter and three pedestrians on the street who were injured. Huntington Beach police confirmed that the two occupants of the helicopter were safely extracted from the wreckage, though the severity of all five individuals' injuries was not immediately known.
• The helicopter, identified as a 1980 Bell 222 Rotorcraft with the registration number N222EX, is reportedly registered to Eric Nixon of Mentone, California. It is equipped with a Rolls-Royce 250-C30G (Turbo-shaft) engine and has a top speed of 172 mph.
• The aircraft was associated with the "Cars 'N Copters On the Coast" event, an annual fundraising spectacle featuring supercars and helicopters, which supports the Huntington Beach Police Department and Community Foundation. An "exclusive helicopter landing party" hosted by MD Helicopters was taking place at the Offshore 9 Rooftop Lounge prior to the crash.
• Dramatic video footage shared widely on social media showed the helicopter spinning multiple times before it crashed into palm trees and the outdoor stairway of a pedestrian bridge. One chilling clip showed the helicopter nearly hitting a person on the ground, and another depicted an object falling from the aircraft moments before impact.
• The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have been notified and are conducting a joint investigation into the cause of the crash. As of October 12, 2025, the reason for the helicopter losing control and crashing remains unknown.
• Following the incident, authorities closed a section of the Pacific Coast Highway between Huntington Street and Beach Boulevard for several hours to facilitate the investigation and cleanup. The public was advised to avoid the area and use alternate routes.
• Organizers of the "Cars 'N Copters On the Coast" event announced that the main event scheduled for Sunday, October 12, 2025, would proceed as planned, despite the previous day's accident. They expressed prayers for all involved in the "unfortunate incident."