The Smart Marty Sky Dispatch
Just before deadly helicopter crash off Catalina, another aircraft nearly went down, NTSB says
Records show the National Transportation Safety Board is investigating a second incident at Catalina Island where a medical evacuation helicopter nearly crashed into the water just moments before a separate, fatal incident.
Two medical evacuation helicopters operating near Catalina Island were involved in separate incidents within moments of one another on Sept. 30, according to federal investigators.
Authorities say a Mercy Air Eurocopter, departing Pebbly Beach for Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, dropped toward the water shortly after takeoff, briefly contacting the ocean before the pilot recovered and continued the flight.
Minutes later, another Eurocopter from REACH Air Medical Services crashed into the ocean after lifting off from the same Catalina Island helipad, killing three people aboard and injuring others who were rescued.
Flight-tracking data indicate the Mercy Air helicopter departed Pebbly Beach at about 7:45 p.m., and, within roughly 40 seconds, descended to about 75 feet above the water. The subsequent REACH helicopter crash occurred at about 7:46 p.m., as it climbed to around 175 feet before rapidly descending.
The incident is being reviewed by the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board as part of the investigation into the fatal crash, with authorities noting the challenging night conditions over water and the potential role of limited visibility and spatial disorientation.