Incident Overview

A medical transport helicopter operated by REACH Air Medical Services crashed into the Pacific Ocean on Wednesday evening. The aircraft was en route from Pebbly Beach on Santa Catalina Island to the mainland when it went down, killing two individuals aboard and leaving one person missing.

The Los Angeles County Fire Department responded to distress calls at approximately 7:43 PM, initiating a marine rescue operation. The helicopter, identified as a Eurocopter EC135 P2, reportedly ascended to about 175 feet before experiencing a rapid descent.

Search and Rescue Operations

Emergency services quickly deployed resources, which included an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter and a 45-foot Coast Guard response boat. Despite the challenging conditions, rescuers succeeded in locating four of the five occupants in the water. Two individuals were declared dead at the scene, while another two were rescued and taken to hospital in stable condition. Efforts to locate the missing person—a patient being evacuated—continue with the deployment of advanced search techniques that account for ocean currents and drift.

Ongoing Search Efforts

As night fell, teams expanded their search area and utilized software that predicts potential locations based on environmental factors. “The longer the search continues, the larger the area we must cover,” Coast Guard Cmdr. Mark Leahy stated, emphasizing the importance of adapting to changing oceanic conditions.

Additionally, the Los Angeles County Fire Department is using an underwater drone to locate the submerged helicopter, believed to rest at a depth of approximately 240 feet. Recovery efforts will proceed once the helicopter is located.

Investigating the Crash

Preliminary information about the incident suggests possible safety concerns regarding weight limits for medical transport helicopters, especially with multiple individuals aboard. Aviation attorney Mike Slack noted that any patient being transported would be strapped in, making it likely they would have gone down with the aircraft.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will oversee the investigation, with initial teams arriving at the site to document evidence and collect data from the helicopter once recovered. NTSB records indicate that the Eurocopter EC135 has been involved in several incidents since 2005, with a notable number resulting in fatalities.

Company Response and Historical Context

REACH Air Medical Services has released a statement expressing their sorrow over the tragedy and indicating their cooperation with authorities as investigations unfold. “Our thoughts are with the families, loved ones, and colleagues affected by this tragedy,” the company stated.

This incident marks a significant complication for REACH, which has faced prior accidents involving its helicopters. Last October, an incident resulted in the death of a nurse during a flight, further highlighting the risks associated with medical transport operations.