The Smart Marty Sky Dispatch
1 killed and 2 hurt in small helicopter crash off Miami, officials say
One person was killed and two others injured when a small helicopter crashed late Wednesday morning off Key Biscayne, Florida, the US Coast Guard said, leaving the aircraft upside down with just its landing skids visible in the water near Miami.
A small Robinson R44 helicopter crashed off Key Biscayne, Florida, leaving the aircraft upside down in the water near Miami. One person was killed and two others were injured, with two adults transported to a nearby trauma center.
The crash occurred on a late Wednesday morning, after the helicopter took off from North Perry Airport in Pembroke Pines and flew south toward the Key Biscayne area, according to flight-tracking data. The aircraft reportedly circled near the bridge to Key Biscayne before turning south and going down around seven minutes after takeoff.
Aerial imagery from the scene showed the helicopter’s landing skids equipped with yellow flotation devices that can inflate to aid buoyancy in water. The National Transportation Safety Board indicated the helicopter was used for photography and is owned by an aerial photography company, with FAA records corroborating ownership.
Weather conditions at the time included thunderstorms with lightning and light rain, and a wind from the east around 9 mph at the nearest weather station, with gusts up to about 20 mph closer to the site. The specific impact of these conditions on the crash was not established in the material provided.
The NTSB and FAA confirmed they will investigate the incident. This event follows recent high-profile helicopter crashes noted in the material, but no causal details or outcomes beyond the initial report were provided. The authorities described the situation as a developing story.