An air ambulance helicopter plunged into the ocean off Catalina Island Wednesday night moments after lifting off from Avalon, triggering a multi-agency rescue scramble for five people on board.
The REACH aircraft departed at 7:46 p.m. And reached only 175 feet before its descent began, according to ADS-B tracking data. Its signal vanished entirely eight seconds after takeoff, per Squawk flight monitoring.
LA County Fire helicopters and divers were dispatched around 7:50 p.m. Following reports of a helicopter down near the island, with the specific location identified as Pebbly Beach. A Coast Guard MH-60 joined the response.
Boat crews pulled three people from the scene, while the US Coast Guard spotted two others, firefighters said. At least three individuals were recovered directly from the aircraft and the water reports.
As of 8:40 p.m., no patients had yet been transported from the scene, LA County Fire officials noted.
Flight records show the helicopter originated from Oceanside in San Diego County, landing on Catalina Island at 7:04 p.m. Wednesday evening. The aircraft’s intended flight plan following the brief stop remained unclear as rescue operations stretched into the night.
Janice Hahn, LA County Supervisor, released a statement as crews worked the scene: “I have been informed that a medevac helicopter leaving Catalina Island has crashed shortly after takeoff. LA County Fire, Sheriff, Coast Guard, and Avalon Fire are on the scene. Search and rescue operations are underway and I am praying for everyone who was on board.”
The crash occurred in waters near the Southern California island community of Avalon, a popular tourist destination roughly 22 miles off the Los Angeles coast. Catalina Island’s rugged terrain and limited medical facilities typically require air transport for serious emergencies.
REACH Air Medical Services operates emergency medical flights across California and surrounding states. The company has not issued a statement on the Wednesday night incident.
Multiple agencies including the LA County Sheriff’s Department and Avalon Fire Department maintained presence at the crash site as recovery efforts continued. The National Transportation Safety Board typically investigates commercial helicopter crashes, though no announcement of a formal probe had been made Wednesday evening.
Weather conditions and mechanical factors remained unconfirmed as potential contributors to the rapid descent. The eight-second window between takeoff and signal loss suggested little opportunity for emergency maneuvering.
LA County Fire indicated the rescue operation would extend into late evening hours as crews worked to account for all five individuals reported aboard the aircraft.