- By Shivangi Sharma
- Sun, 12 Oct 2025 11:14 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
A helicopter crashed Saturday afternoon at Huntington Beach, southeast of Los Angeles, California, injuring five individuals, two of whom are passengers on the aircraft, authorities have confirmed. The helicopter crashed about 2 p.m. on a pedestrian bridge in the beach parking lot between Twin Dolphins Drive and Beach Boulevard, in front of several hotels along Pacific Coast Highway.
The helicopter, the city said, was connected to the annual "Cars N Copters" charity event set for Sunday. Even with the crash, officials affirmed that the event remains scheduled.
NEW: Man nearly gets crushed by a helicopter that crashed in Huntington Beach, California.
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) October 11, 2025
"I was literally underneath the helicopter as it crashed. My life flashed before my eyes," the man posted.
The helicopter crashed next to the Pacific Coast Highway near the bridge… pic.twitter.com/6d58umdRJA
Eyewitness Videos Capture Helicopter Spinning
Online videos show the helicopter whirling in mid-air before crashing towards the beach perimeter. The plane got stuck between palm trees and a set of stairs, at the entrance of the Hyatt Regency Hotel. One witness who recorded the crash explained the harrowing experience on TikTok: "I was literally under the helicopter when it crashed. My life flashed through my eyes."
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The helicopter is registered to Eric Nixon of Mentone, California, and is powered by a 650-horsepower Rolls-Royce 250-C30G turboshaft engine with a top speed of 172 mph. Initial reports from the New York Post are that the rear motor had reportedly lost power and spun the helicopter out of control into the crash.
Five People Hospitalised
The Huntington Beach Fire Department has confirmed five injured people were taken to hospitals. Two were on the helicopter and were "safely pulled from the wreckage" of the crash. Three pedestrians on the road were also injured, though there have been no details given about the extent of their condition. First responders could be seen at the scene tending to victims, and bystanders recorded footage of the crash's aftermath.
The helicopter went down in a populated area, filled with residents who had come into town for the Cars N' Copters festival. The helicopter can be seen in videos spinning and crashing into palm trees, with some trees breaking partially to break the fall, and one tree falling on top of the helicopter. The aircraft finally rested wedged against trees and a staircase by the hotel.