News Summary
A helicopter crash in Huntington Beach on Saturday resulted in injuries to five people, including an 8-year-old boy. The incident occurred near Hilton’s Waterfront Beach Resort when a twin-engine Bell 222 spiraled down and hit trees before crashing. The young boy suffered serious injuries, prompting his family to start a GoFundMe campaign that raised over $94,000. The pilot, a known aviation influencer, also sustained serious injuries. Authorities are investigating the crash, while community support for the victims continues to grow.
Huntington Beach experienced a helicopter crash on Saturday, October 11, which resulted in injuries to five individuals, including an 8-year-old boy who sustained serious injuries, including a collapsed lung and a brain bleed. The incident occurred near Hilton’s Waterfront Beach Resort on Pacific Coast Highway.
The twin-engine Bell 222 helicopter spiraled down and crashed into trees, ultimately impacting a stairwell leading to a pedestrian bridge. The pilot of the helicopter, Eric Nixon, was hospitalized along with two others on the ground. Nixon is recognized as a well-known aviation influencer and reportedly suffered broken ribs, crushed vertebrae, and other bruises as a result of the crash.
The young boy’s family has initiated a GoFundMe campaign to support his recovery, which has successfully raised over $94,000. The organizer of the fundraising page expressed optimism regarding the boy’s improving condition. Despite the traumatic event, campaign organizers stated they hold no one responsible for the crash.
Emergency response teams dispatched two hazmat units to the crash site, and the Pacific Coast Highway was closed for several hours as efforts were made to manage the scene. A crane was utilized to remove the wreckage of the helicopter on Tuesday following the crash.
Witnesses described the helicopter as spinning out of control before the crash, with some capturing video showing the tail rotor detaching from the aircraft prior to impact. The helicopter had earlier departed from Redlands Municipal Airport before the incident occurred in Orange County.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has opened an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash. The agency is expected to release a preliminary report detailing the crash’s cause within 30 days. Information regarding the other individuals injured remains limited due to privacy laws, as officials have declined to provide specific updates.
Despite the unfortunate incident, the Cars ‘N Copters event, which involved helicopter demonstrations, was slated to continue as planned. The helicopter involved in the crash was registered with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and had a valid registration until January 2027. It was built in 1980.
As the investigation continues and more details emerge, the focus remains on the recovery of those injured, especially the young boy, who has garnered significant community support through the fundraising efforts.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
San Clemente Establishes New Emergency Helipad
Orange Coast College Players Achieve Major League Success
13-Year-Old Arrested for Causing Rancho Fire in Laguna Beach
Additional Resources
- Orange County Register
- ABC7 News
- KTLA
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Helicopter Crash
- Google Search: Huntington Beach helicopter crash
Author: STAFF HERE COSTA MESA WRITER
The COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECostaMesa.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Costa Mesa, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the OC Fair, Concerts in the Park, and Fish Fry. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce and Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast, plus leading businesses in retail, fashion, and technology that power the local economy such as Vans, Experian, and South Coast Plaza. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, HERESanDiego.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
