Full Breakdown
Helicopter Crash Off Catalina Island Leaves Two Dead, Two Hospitalized, One Missing
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The Crash Details
- When: shortly before 8 p.m. on Wednesday night (the night before October 1, 2026)
- Where: off Pebbly Beach near Avalon, Santa Catalina Island, about 22 mi (35 km) from the Los Angeles County mainland; wreckage in ~240 ft (73 m) of water.
- Aircraft: REACH Air Medical Services medevac helicopter; sources list it as an Airbus H135/Eurocopter EC-135-P2.
- Occupants: pilot, nurse, additional crew member, a patient, and a second passenger.
- Casualties: two crew members dead at the scene; two survivors hospitalized in stable condition; one passenger missing.
Data & Statistics
- Depth of wreckage: ~240 ft (73 m).
- Flight timeline: departed Oceanside ~6:40 p.m., arrived Catalina ~7:04 p.m., crashed after takeoff ~7:50 p.m.
- Response assets: U.S. Coast Guard, Los Angeles County Fire and Sheriff’s Departments, Avalon Fire, rescue helicopters, divers, and an ROV.
Official Statements & Responses
- Janice Hahn, Los Angeles County Supervisor, posted on X that she was praying for everyone on board.
- Jonathan Torres, Information Officer, Los Angeles County Fire Department, confirmed four occupants recovered, two deaths, and the ongoing search for the fifth.
- The NTSB and FAA are leading investigations; NTSB investigators are scheduled to arrive on October 1, 2026.
- REACH Air Medical Services said it is gathering information, coordinating with responders, and supporting families.
On-the-Ground Reports
- Coast Guard Capt. Stacey Crecy noted calm sea conditions and the deployment of divers and an ROV.
- Sheriff Robert Luna identified the deceased as the pilot and a nurse; another crew member is seriously injured.
- The missing passenger is Catalina Hernandez, a 45-year-old Avalon resident being airlifted for an allergic reaction; her son was also aboard and injured.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Aircraft model: outlets differ between Airbus H135 and Eurocopter EC-135-P2; no definitive confirmation yet.
- Cause of crash: still undetermined by the NTSB or FAA.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We are aware of an incident involving a REACH Air Medical Services helicopter,” — REACH spokesperson
- “We believe that the medical aircraft was transporting a person off the island for additional medical care on the mainland,” — Capt. Crecy
- “Our thoughts are with the families, loved ones and colleagues affected by this tragedy,” — REACH spokesperson
- “Of the onboard patients, four of the five have been found. There is still one outstanding. Two were transported to local area hospitals on the mainland in stable condition. We can confirm there are two deceased at the scene.” — Jonathan Torres
- “Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones who lost their lives as well as the survivors and everyone effected by this tragedy,” — Sheriff Luna
What’s Next
- Search and rescue will continue underwater and on the surface through the night of October 1, employing a Coast Guard response boat, an MH-60 Jayhawk, divers, and an ROV.
- NTSB investigators will document the site, recover the aircraft, and transport wreckage for technical evaluation.