Medical helicopter crashes off Catalina Island, five aboard

A Reach Air Medical Services air‑ambulance helicopter went down near Avalon, leaving one person missing and four injured.

By Felo News Desk · Published Thu, 01 Oct 2026 06:35:28 GMT

A Reach Air Medical Services medical helicopter crashed into the ocean off Catalina Island on Wednesday night, with five people aboard, according to Los Angeles County officials.

What happened

Flight‑tracking data show the helicopter took off from Oceanside at 6:40 p.m., landed on Catalina Island at 7:04 p.m., and departed Avalon at about 7:46 p.m. It rose to roughly 175 feet before disappearing from radar eight seconds later, as reported by ADS‑B data. The Los Angeles County Fire Department dispatched helicopters and divers at around 7:50 p.m. after receiving the crash report.

What the reports add

CBS News reported that the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said two occupants were taken to a hospital on Catalina Island and two were taken to the Ronald Reagan Medical Center at UCLA, while a fifth person remained missing as of 9:40 p.m.
The New York Post noted that three people were rescued by boat crews, two others were spotted by the U.S. Coast Guard, and a Coast Guard MH‑60 responded; none had been transported to a medical facility as of 8:40 p.m.
Both outlets identified the aircraft as belonging to Reach Air Medical Services and mentioned that the flight plan was unclear.

What was said

"Search and rescue operations are underway and I am praying for everyone who was on board," Janice Hahn wrote on X, as cited by CBS News.

"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," Hahn said in a statement, per the New York Post.

"Our immediate concern is for the well‑being of those involved," a Reach Air Medical Services spokesperson said in a statement, according to CBS News.

How it came about

The incident follows a series of recent helicopter accidents in the region, including the September 19 news‑helicopter crash in Los Angeles that killed three people (Felo News). Both events have renewed scrutiny of helicopter safety protocols in Southern California.

Key facts

A Reach Air Medical Services helicopter crashed off Catalina Island on Oct. 1, 2026. (cbsnews.com)
Five people were aboard the flight. (cbsnews.com)
Two occupants were taken to a hospital on Catalina Island; two were taken to UCLA; one person was missing. (cbsnews.com)
Three people were rescued by boat crews and two were spotted by the Coast Guard, with no transports reported by 8:40 p.m. (nypost.com)

Where accounts differ

Number of people rescued and their transport status: Two taken to Catalina hospital, two to UCLA, one missing. (cbsnews.com); Three rescued by boat, two spotted by Coast Guard, none transported as of 8:40 p.m. (nypost.com)