Helicopter crash near Huntington Beach resort leaves five injured, including a child
Five people, including a child, were hospitalised after a helicopter linked to a local aviation event crashed near a pedestrian bridge by the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort on 11 October 2025. The cause remains under investigation by federal authorities.
- A helicopter crashed near the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort on 11 October 2025, injuring five people, including a child.
- The aircraft, a 1980 Bell 222, was connected to the Cars ’N Copters on the Coast event.
- Federal investigators from the FAA and NTSB are examining the cause of the crash.
A helicopter crashed near the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort and Spa on Saturday afternoon, 11 October 2025, injuring five people, including a child.
The incident occurred shortly after 2 p.m. near a parking lot off Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), between Beach Boulevard and Twin Dolphins Drive. According to Huntington Beach officials, police and emergency crews were dispatched immediately following multiple reports of a helicopter going down near the pedestrian bridge.
Dramatic footage shows helicopter spinning before impact
Videos shared on social media showed the helicopter spinning uncontrollably several times before striking palm trees and the outdoor stairway of the bridge that crosses PCH. Another clip appeared to capture an object falling from the aircraft moments before it plunged to the ground.
City officials confirmed that the two people onboard were safely rescued from the wreckage. Three pedestrians on the street were also injured. All five were taken to hospital, though their conditions were not immediately released.
Crash site cordoned off for investigation
Authorities closed PCH between Huntington Street and Beach Boulevard at around 3 p.m. to investigate. Large sections of the parking lot were taped off, with debris scattered across the area. The helicopter’s tail had detached, while the rest of the aircraft remained wedged between palm trees and a stairway as of 4:30 p.m.
The California Highway Patrol stated that the crash occurred near the site of the “Cars ’N Copters on the Coast” event at the Waterfront Beach Resort. City officials confirmed the helicopter was affiliated with the event, which benefits the Huntington Beach Police & Community Foundation.
Pilot identified as aviation enthusiast Eric Nixon
The helicopter’s owner and pilot was identified as Eric Nixon, an aviation enthusiast known for sharing flight videos on social media. His father-in-law, Jerry Miller, told the Orange County Register that Nixon sustained broken ribs and crushed vertebrae but survived the crash.
“He’s in the hospital with some broken ribs, crushed vertebrae and several bruises,” said Miller.
The Aviation Safety Network reported that the helicopter was a 1980 Bell 222 that had taken off from Redlands Municipal Airport before the accident.
Eyewitnesses described hearing an unusual sound moments before the crash. “You can hear this odd sound that didn’t sound right,” said Kevin Bullat, who was nearby. “I looked out and saw the helicopter spiralling out of control. My friend saw debris catapulting across PCH.”
Several other small helicopters were parked nearby for related activities, including an “exclusive helicopter landing party” hosted by MD Helicopters at the Offshore 9 Rooftop Lounge. The event was planned ahead of the Cars ’N Copters main showcase scheduled for Sunday.
Despite the accident, organisers said the event would proceed as planned. “We are sending our prayers out to all involved in the unfortunate incident today,” the organisers stated. “Our plan for now is to move forward with our event tomorrow, Sunday, 12 October.”
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have both launched investigations into the crash. The agencies are expected to review the aircraft’s maintenance records, flight path, and any potential mechanical failures.
The cause of the accident remains undetermined.
