A medical helicopter carrying a patient crashed into the ocean near Catalina Island, Los Angeles, on Wednesday night, killing two people and leaving one missing. Two other individuals on board were injured in the incident, which occurred on September 30, 2026.
Rescue teams, including the US Coast Guard, the American agency responsible for maritime search and rescue; the Los Angeles County Fire Department, which sent helicopters and divers for rescue operations; and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, which confirmed the medical helicopter crash and is involved in search and rescue, have been conducting search and rescue operations since the crash. The helicopter went down shortly after taking off from the island, according to Captain Stacey Crecy of the US Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles – Long Beach.
Five people were aboard the Eurocopter EC-135-P2, operated by REACH Air Medical Services, the operator of the crashed medical helicopter, when it crashed. Rescue crews pulled four individuals from the water. Two were pronounced dead at the scene, while the other two were transported to mainland hospitals in stable condition. One of the injured was taken to Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center.
KABC reported that a pilot and a flight nurse were among the deceased. As of Thursday morning, October 1, 2026, the search for the fifth person remains ongoing.
Search continues for missing person
The US Coast Guard has continued its search and rescue efforts through the night and into Thursday. Los Angeles County Fire Department divers resumed their search at daybreak. A Coast Guard submarine is also joining the operation to search underwater areas and closely examine the wreckage, which is submerged in approximately 73 meters (240 feet) of water.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn provided updates on the crash and the ongoing search and rescue efforts via X (formerly Twitter).
Investigation launched into crash cause
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), an independent US government agency responsible for investigating transportation accidents, has launched an investigation into the crash. The NTSB typically releases a preliminary report within two weeks, with a final report detailing the probable cause expected within 12 to 24 months.
Investigators will document the wreckage before moving it to a secure location for thorough analysis. The exact cause of the crash is not yet known.
Flight tracking data showed the REACH Air Medical Services helicopter departed Oceanside in San Diego County at 6:40 PM and landed on Catalina Island at 7:04 PM.
Background on Catalina Island medical transport
Catalina Island has a hospital and medical clinic, Catalina Island Health, but critically ill patients often require transfer to mainland facilities for intensive care. Air medical transport is a common method for moving seriously ill or injured patients from the island to mainland hospitals.
REACH Air Medical Services, the operator of the crashed helicopter, was also involved in a separate incident in October 2025, when one of its helicopters crashed on a Sacramento freeway, seriously injuring three crew members. Additionally, a small plane crash on Catalina Island in April 2026 resulted in two fatalities.
The identities of the deceased, injured, and missing individuals have not been officially released. The identity of the patient being transported by the helicopter is also unknown, and the Los Angeles County Fire Department reportedly did not have a clear flight plan for the helicopter.
