The quiet town of Avalon on Santa Catalina Island was shaken Wednesday night when a medical helicopter plunged into the Pacific Ocean just minutes after takeoff. Two people were killed, two others survived with injuries, and a fifth passenger — the patient being transported — remains missing. The crash happened near Pebbly Beach, about a mile from Avalon, shortly after 7:50 p.m.
Authorities confirmed the helicopter belonged to REACH Air Medical Services. Rescue crews pulled four people from the water. The pilot and one crew member were pronounced dead at the scene. Another crew member was badly hurt but survived, while the patient sustained minor injuries. The missing passenger, who was being flown to the mainland for medical care, has yet to be found despite ongoing search efforts.
The Federal Aviation Administration reported that the aircraft was a Eurocopter EC-135-P2. Flight records show it had departed Oceanside in San Diego County earlier in the evening, landing briefly on Catalina before taking off again with the patient onboard. Within minutes, the helicopter went down into the ocean. The cause of the crash is still unknown.
Los Angeles County firefighters, the Coast Guard, and Avalon Fire Department crews rushed to the scene. Divers and remotely operated vehicles were deployed to search the wreckage, which is believed to be resting about 240 feet underwater. Calm seas aided the search, though debris and fuel were spotted floating near the crash site.
The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation. Officials say they will examine the wreckage and review flight data to determine what went wrong. REACH Air Medical Services confirmed the loss of its helicopter and said it is working closely with investigators and emergency responders.
Santa Catalina Island, located 22 miles off the Los Angeles County coast, is a popular destination accessible only by air or boat. Avalon, its largest community, is now facing the grim reality of a tragedy that unfolded just offshore. For residents, the crash is a reminder of the risks faced by those who fly medical missions to save lives.
The identities of the victims have not yet been released. Families of the crew and patient are waiting for answers as search teams continue to comb the waters. For now, the island community is left mourning the loss of two lives and hoping for the safe recovery of the missing passenger.








