Helicopter Crashes During Weekend at Beach, Smashing Exterior Wall of Huntington Beach Hotel

Five Injured, No Fatalities Reported
Two Helicopter Occupants Rescued After Crash

A helicopter crashed into a beachfront hotel in Huntington Beach, California, injuring a pedestrian.

According to reports from the Associated Press and ABC News on October 12 (local time), the accident occurred around 2 p.m. the previous day in Huntington Beach. At the time, a helicopter flying near the coastal road suddenly crashed after failing to stop its rotation, colliding with the exterior wall of the Hyatt Regency hotel.

On the 11th (local time), a helicopter crashed while flying in Huntington Beach, California, USA, injuring five people. Photo captured from social media.

Footage of the accident shows the helicopter spinning uncontrollably in midair, losing control, and descending before crashing into a palm tree and a pedestrian walkway structure. Witnesses testified, "The engine noise changed abnormally, and then the helicopter plunged straight down."

Five people were transported to the hospital as a result of the accident. Two people on board the helicopter were rescued immediately after the crash, while three others, including pedestrians on the road, were injured on the ground. There were no fatalities, but the condition of the injured has not been clearly disclosed. Some media outlets reported that the helicopter involved was a Bell 222 model.

The Helicopter Had Participated in a Weekend Event

Initial investigations suggest that the helicopter became uncontrollable due to a possible malfunction of the tail rotor or control system. During the collision, several palm trees in front of the hotel were broken, causing a significant impact, and there were accounts that some helicopter parts detached just before the crash. The Huntington Beach Fire Department stated, "A large-scale rescue team was deployed to the scene to prevent the spread of fire and carry out rescue operations."

According to city officials, the helicopter was participating in the 'Cars N' Copters' event held over the weekend, and the accident occurred during the event. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are currently investigating the exact cause of the accident.