Two killed, one missing after medical helicopter crashes off Catalina Island

October 2, 2026 at 12:28 AM2 min

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Two people died and one remains missing after a REACH Air Medical Services helicopter carrying five people crashed into the ocean off California's Catalina Island on Wednesday evening. Two survivors were taken to hospital in stable condition. The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation into the crash, whose cause has not been established.

Key Facts

The Eurocopter EC 135P2+ helicopter (reg. N313RX) went down several hundred yards offshore shortly after takeoff, according to US Coast Guard Captain Stacey Crecy.
The missing person was the patient being transported from the island, said Coast Guard Cmdr. Mark Leahy.
Authorities reported that the aircraft was submerged in approximately 240 feet of water.
The helicopter was carrying five people on a medical transport flight to Los Angeles when it went down near Pebbly Beach, outside Avalon, shortly before 20:00 local time on September 30.
The National Transportation Safety Board identified the helicopter as a Eurocopter EC135 P2 and said it was investigating.

Crash Details

The Eurocopter EC 135P2+ helicopter (reg. N313RX) went down several hundred yards offshore shortly after takeoff, according to US Coast Guard Captain Stacey Crecy. He said he believed it was transporting a patient from the island for further medical treatment. The helicopter was carrying five people on a medical transport flight to Los Angeles when it went down near Pebbly Beach, outside Avalon, shortly before 20:00 local time on September 30. Authorities reported that the aircraft was submerged in approximately 240 feet of water.

Rescue and Recovery

Rescuers recovered four people from the water. Two were pronounced dead at the scene, while two others were taken to mainland hospitals in stable condition, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department. The missing person was the patient being transported from the island, said Coast Guard Cmdr. Mark Leahy. Search crews worked through the night and continued looking for the missing person on October 1. The response included the US Coast Guard, Los Angeles County firefighters, sheriff’s divers and Avalon emergency personnel.

Investigation

The National Transportation Safety Board identified the helicopter as a Eurocopter EC135 P2 and said it was investigating. The cause of the crash has not been established. REACH confirmed that one of its helicopters was involved and said it was coordinating with emergency responders and authorities. The accident follows a separate REACH helicopter crash on a Sacramento freeway in October 2025. A flight nurse later died from injuries sustained in that accident, according to REACH.