Story perspectives

NTSB, FAA Open Investigations After REACH EC-135 Crash

By Drooid · Oct 1, 2026, 6:15 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

REACH Air Medical Services' Eurocopter EC-135 P2 crashed into water off Catalina Island.
The crash occurred near Pebbly Beach at about 7:50 p.m. on September 30, 2026, after departing Oceanside at 6:41 p.m.
Two occupants were pronounced dead, two were hospitalized, and one remained missing.
U.S. Coast Guard, Los Angeles County Fire, sheriff’s department and local fire agencies conducted a marine SAR operation.
The NTSB and FAA opened investigations into the Eurocopter EC-135 P2 crash.

History

Historical Context

Air Evac Lifeteam, founded in 1985 and operating more than 150 Bell 206 L1+ helicopters, faced a fatal Texas crash in 2009 that spurred an NTSB report and a 12 % rise in state medical-flight incidents. The September 30 2026 REACH Air Medical Services EC-135P2 crash off Catalina Island revives those safety concerns, prompting the FAA to consider stricter maintenance oversight.

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Story summary

REACH Air Medical Services' Eurocopter EC-135 P2 crashed into water off Catalina Island.
The crash occurred near Pebbly Beach at about 7:50 p.m. on September 30, 2026, after departing Oceanside at 6:41 p.m.
Two occupants were pronounced dead, two were hospitalized, and one remained missing.
U.S. Coast Guard, Los Angeles County Fire, sheriff’s department and local fire agencies conducted a marine SAR operation.
The NTSB and FAA opened investigations into the Eurocopter EC-135 P2 crash.

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