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Helicopter Spins Out of Control in Huntington Beach — Bird Strike Suspected in California Crash

In a shocking turn of events on Saturday afternoon, a helicopter crash in Huntington Beach, California left at least five people injured when the aircraft plummeted from the sky and became entangled in several palm trees near the Pacific Coast Highway. The wrecked chopper dangled precariously before emergency crews rushed to rescue those trapped inside.

📰 Story Highlights:

  • Incident: Helicopter crash near Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach

  • Injured: Five people hospitalized, conditions undisclosed

  • Possible cause: Bird strike with tail rotor under investigation

  • Connection: Aircraft linked to “Cars ’N Copters” fundraising event

  • Authorities: Police and Fire Department confirm multi-casualty incident

According to the Huntington Beach Police Department and Fire Department, the crash occurred near the intersection of Pacific Coast Highway and Huntington Street, a busy coastal area lined with hotels and palm trees. Two people were pulled from the wreckage of the helicopter, while three others sustained injuries on the street below.

All five victims were taken to local hospitals, though officials have yet to release their current conditions. The Huntington Beach Fire Department later upgraded the crash to a multi-casualty incident, given the scale of the injuries and debris scattered across the roadway.

Videos that surfaced online captured the terrifying final moments before the helicopter crash in Huntington Beach. In the footage, the aircraft can be seen spinning sideways, its tail rotor seemingly malfunctioning before it descended rapidly toward the ground. The chopper struck a row of palm trees, which may have slightly cushioned its fall before one tree snapped and crashed onto the helicopter itself.

Witnesses described the sound of chaos that followed.

“You could hear this odd sound that didn’t seem right,” said one eyewitness who spoke to CBS News.
“When I looked up, the helicopter was spiraling out of control. My friend saw pieces of debris flying across the Pacific Coast Highway.”

Emergency crews, including police, firefighters, and several bystanders, rushed toward the scene to help those trapped. Photos and videos posted on social media showed the damaged helicopter wedged between the palm trees and the pedestrian bridge that crosses over the Pacific Coast Highway, close to the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort and Spa.

Officials later confirmed that the helicopter was connected to the annual “Cars ’N Copters” fundraising event, scheduled to take place Sunday. The event, which attracts luxury car and aviation enthusiasts from across Southern California, was intended to showcase helicopters and high-end vehicles along the coast.

While the precise cause of the Huntington Beach helicopter crash has not been confirmed, early reports from witnesses suggested a possible bird strike may have damaged the tail rotor, leading to mechanical failure. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are expected to conduct a full investigation into the incident.

Local authorities said the helicopter’s tail section broke off during the crash, which caused it to become lodged between palm trees and the stairway of the pedestrian bridge. Crews worked for hours to secure the aircraft and remove it safely from the site.

The community has been left shaken by the sudden crash. Many residents of Huntington Beach, a city known for its scenic ocean views and tourist-heavy highways, said they had never witnessed anything like it before.

For now, investigators continue to piece together what led to this tragic California helicopter crash, as residents express relief that no fatalities were reported despite the helicopter plummeting into one of the city’s busiest intersections.

The cause remains under investigation.

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