Helicopter Crash at Huntington Beach Hospitalizes Five, Including a Child

A helicopter incident in Huntington Beach resulted in the hospitalization of five individuals, one of whom was a child. The crash occurred Saturday afternoon when the aircraft struck a row of trees, causing injuries to pedestrians on the ground.

The helicopter was descending toward the tree line before suddenly spurring upward and losing control around 2 p.m., leading to the collision. Two aboard the helicopter were safely removed, but three pedestrians were hurt and taken to the hospital in unspecified conditions.

Helicopter crashed into a row of trees in Huntington Beach.

Emergency crews responded after the helicopter collided with trees at Huntington Beach.

The incident started when the helicopter’s rear rotor appeared to malfunction, causing it to spin uncontrollably. The aircraft eventually crashed into leaning palm trees near the sand, snapping one tree and trapping the helicopter between the trees and nearby stairs. The tail section detached during the crash, and the fuselage was lodged between the trees and a staircase, according to aerial footage.

Rescue responders at the crash site in Huntington Beach.

The helicopter’s tail broke off, and the aircraft became wedged among the trees and stairs after the crash.

Witnesses described hearing unusual sounds before the helicopter spiraled out of control, with debris flying across the highway. The crash site was near the Cars ‘N Copters event at the Waterfront Beach Resort, a popular gathering benefiting the local community foundation.

Eric Nixon, owner of the helicopter, was not confirmed to be piloting at the time of the crash.

Eric Nixon, owner of the helicopter, was identified but it remains unclear if he was piloting during the crash.

The helicopter was owned by enthusiast Eric Nixon, known for risky routes and sharing videos online. A social media post from the event previewed Nixon’s Bell 222SP, a rare aircraft made popular by the 1980s series Airwolf, but it is uncertain if he was operating it during the accident.

The annual Cars ‘N Copters event, which was sold out, included a helicopter landing party at the Waterfront Beach Resort. Authorities from the FAA and NTSB have been notified, and an investigation into the crash is ongoing.