A festive afternoon at Huntington Beach turned harrowing on Saturday when a helicopter crashed just feet from a packed hotel and the bustling Pacific Coast Highway, sending five people—including a child—to the hospital and leaving witnesses in disbelief.
Chaos Erupts During Air Show Spectacle
The crash occurred around 2:00 p.m. on October 11, 2025, as crowds gathered for the annual Carson Copters event, a highlight featuring dramatic helicopter flybys and exotic cars. Eyewitnesses described a scene that shifted from excitement to terror in seconds as the helicopter spun out of control, clipping palm trees before slamming into a bridge walkway near the Hyatt Hotel.
Aviation photographer Roy Rouse, who was capturing the flybys, recounted the chilling moment:
“They come around one by one, but as it approached the parking area, the rotor flew off the tail and the aircraft crashed, wedged between palm trees and the bridge walkway that goes to the Hyatt Hotel across PCH—literally right over my head.”Heroic Rescues and Narrow Escapes
First responders rushed to the scene, pulling a child from beneath the wreckage and tending to an elderly man with a head injury. In total,
five people were hospitalized—two from the helicopter and three bystanders on the ground. Video footage captured the frantic rescue efforts as bystanders and emergency crews worked together to free victims and provide aid.
Witnesses credited the palm trees with softening the impact, preventing what could have been a far more catastrophic outcome.
“It’s almost like something in a nightmare,” said one bystander, still shaken by the close call.
Investigation Underway: Rare Helicopter Model Involved
The helicopter involved was identified as a
rare Bell 222, a model made famous by the 1980s TV show
Airwolf. The cause of the crash remains under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). Officials have not yet released the names or updated conditions of the victims as of Sunday afternoon.
Authorities are examining eyewitness accounts that the helicopter’s tail rotor detached before the crash, a detail that could prove crucial in determining what went wrong.
Community Rallies, Event Continues
Despite the tragedy, organizers announced that Sunday’s scheduled events—including the exotic car and helicopter showcase benefiting the Huntington Beach Police and Community Foundation—would proceed as planned, with increased safety measures and a somber acknowledgment of Saturday’s events.
What’s Next: Safety, Support, and Answers
As investigators comb through the wreckage and interview witnesses, the Huntington Beach community is left grappling with shock and gratitude that the crash did not claim any lives. The incident has reignited conversations about air show safety and the risks of hosting such events in densely populated areas.
For now, the focus remains on the recovery of the injured and the search for answers as to how a day of celebration nearly turned into a major disaster.
Sources
1. 5 people injured after helicopter crashes in Huntington Beach
