Story perspectives

Divers Still Search After Five Missing in Crash

By Drooid · Oct 1, 2026, 3:35 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

U.S. REACH Air Medical Services helicopter crashed off Catalina Island, killing two and leaving one missing.
Los Angeles County Fire Engineer Jonathan Torres reported the crash occurred just before 8 p.m. on Wednesday.
Two survivors were taken to mainland hospitals in stable condition.
Two victims were pronounced dead at the scene.
A fifth person remains missing as divers continue the search.

History

Historical Context

Since the Federal Aviation Administration incorporated Part 135 into the 14 CFR framework on February 1 1965, the rule has governed on-demand and commuter flights, requiring only 250 flight-hours for pilots and prohibiting seat-sale on charters. Today, the Catalina Island helicopter crash cited by L.A. County Fire Engineer Jonathan Torres revives concerns that the same Part 135 gaps that once affected air-medical operators like REACH persist.

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Story summary

U.S. REACH Air Medical Services helicopter crashed off Catalina Island, killing two and leaving one missing.
Los Angeles County Fire Engineer Jonathan Torres reported the crash occurred just before 8 p.m. on Wednesday.
Two survivors were taken to mainland hospitals in stable condition.
Two victims were pronounced dead at the scene.
A fifth person remains missing as divers continue the search.

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