On a beautiful Saturday afternoon, October 11, 2025, tourists enjoyed the sun at Huntington Beach, California. Their peaceful day suddenly turned into a nightmare. A helicopter flying overhead unexpectedly lost control.
The Bell 222 helicopter began spinning wildly in the air. People watched in shock as parts of the machine broke off. Then, it plunged towards the ground. The chopper slammed into palm trees lining the famous Pacific Coast Highway. It finally crashed near the stairs connecting the beach to a nearby resort. Many people saw the whole dramatic event unfold before their eyes, completely stunned.
One tourist told reporters he heard a strange sound from the engine. He then saw the helicopter start to spin uncontrollably. Bits of the aircraft flew through the air. It was a terrifying sight for everyone present.
Five people ended up in the hospital because of the crash. Two were on board the helicopter: the pilot and a passenger. Luckily, rescuers pulled them safely from the broken aircraft. Three other people were on the street below, including a child. All five were quickly taken to nearby hospitals. Officials have not yet shared how serious their injuries are.
Authorities Investigate
Now, officials are trying to figure out why this happened. They are looking into the crash closely. Early thoughts suggest there might have been a problem with the helicopter’s engine.