A distressing video captures the instance when a helicopter loses control and crashes onto a California beach.
The helicopter, identified as a Bell 222, was seen hovering at a low altitude above Huntington Beach, California, around 2 p.m. ET on Saturday.
Suddenly, the helicopter starts spinning erratically in mid-air and makes a disconcerting lurch.
In a shocking turn of events, the helicopter abruptly descends and crashes into trees near the beach, witnessed by startled onlookers.
Many witnesses rushed towards the aircraft, which had come to rest against tree trunks.
The impact of the helicopter’s blades was so intense that two palm tree trunks appeared to be severed during the crash.
The reason behind the helicopter’s sudden spin remains unclear.
An observer can be heard commenting ‘he changed his mind’ as the helicopter initially flew lower, before ascending once more and then starting to spiral.
Footage from a different perspective captures an object detaching from the helicopter seconds before it crashes.
The Huntington Beach Fire Department confirmed that the helicopter was associated with the upcoming ‘Cars ‘N’ Copters’ event scheduled to occur on the beach that weekend.
Beachgoers were watching helicopters land for the public display when the incident occurred, prompting many to seek cover as it became apparent that the pilot had lost control.
An eyewitness recounted to 9 News Australia: “People were saying it’s going to explode it’s going to catch fire, back up, get away.”
Amazingly, there appear to be no fatalities from the crash at this time.
Five individuals were hospitalized following the incident.
Among them, three were people on the ground, including a child, while two were extracted from the wreckage.
An investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the helicopter’s erratic spinning during what seemed to be a routine maneuver.
The reason is still unknown, but the video illustrates how rapidly the aircraft began to spin out of control.
The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board have been alerted about the crash.
Currently, the wreckage remains entangled in the palm trees, as emergency services work to secure the area.