5 Hospitalized After Helicopter Crashes, Gets Wedged Between Building and Palm Trees
Huntington Beach
Published · Updated
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Summary
- A helicopter crash occurred on October 11, 2025, at 21577 Pacific Coast Hwy, Huntington Beach, CA. The incident was initially reported by a community member, and a video from a Citizen user showed a helicopter down in the area. Emergency personnel responded to the scene in large numbers. The helicopter's partial tail number, N222E, was identified, and further investigation revealed the full tail number as N222EX. This helicopter is registered to influencer Eric Nixon, according to public records and FlightRadar24 data.
- Two individuals were safely extracted from the helicopter wreckage and transported to a hospital. Additionally, three people on the ground sustained injuries and were also taken to the hospital. The extent of the injuries remains unclear. A social media post from September shows what appears to be the same helicopter in the vicinity of the crash site. The situation is under investigation, and more information is being gathered.
Timeline
The National Transportation Safety Board’s preliminary report determined that one of the tail rotor pitch links disconnected before impact, leading to a total loss of control.
Federal investigators say a malfunction in the helicopter’s tail rotor caused it to spin out of control and crash into a staircase on October 11, according to an update from CBS News.
According to Samdesk, all injured victims have been sent to the hospital. Open-source traffic data indicates that the area of the crash has reopened to traffic.
According to Samdesk, officials have temporarily closed parts of the Pacific Coast Highway and surrounding streets for rescue operations and clean-up.
The Cars ‘N Copters on the Coast event was scheduled nearby.
Two people were safely pulled from the wreckage, according to local reports. They were taken to the hospital along with three people who were injured while on the ground. The severity of the injuries is unclear.
A [social media post](https://www.instagram.com/p/DOoZrsdETAT/) shows what appears to be the same helicopter in the same area as the crash in September.
According to [FlightRadar24 data,](https://www.flightradar24.com/data/aircraft/n222ex#3c9efc7f) the helicopter's tail number is N222EX, a helicopter that appears to match one on a social media account owned by influencer Eric Nixon. The helicopter's registered owner is listed as Nixon in public records.
A partial tail number of N222E can be seen in Citizen user video.
A large emergency personnel response is on the scene.
A Citizen user shows video of a helicopter down in the area. Injuries are unknown at this time.
This alert was created by a community member. Citizen is working to gather more information. If you’re nearby, broadcast live or comment to share updates.
Incident reported at 21577 Pacific Coast Hwy.
The National Transportation Safety Board’s preliminary report determined that one of the tail rotor pitch links disconnected before impact, leading to a total loss of control.
Federal investigators say a malfunction in the helicopter’s tail rotor caused it to spin out of control and crash into a staircase on October 11, according to an update from CBS News.
According to Samdesk, all injured victims have been sent to the hospital. Open-source traffic data indicates that the area of the crash has reopened to traffic.
According to Samdesk, officials have temporarily closed parts of the Pacific Coast Highway and surrounding streets for rescue operations and clean-up.
The Cars ‘N Copters on the Coast event was scheduled nearby.
Two people were safely pulled from the wreckage, according to local reports. They were taken to the hospital along with three people who were injured while on the ground. The severity of the injuries is unclear.
A [social media post](https://www.instagram.com/p/DOoZrsdETAT/) shows what appears to be the same helicopter in the same area as the crash in September.
According to [FlightRadar24 data,](https://www.flightradar24.com/data/aircraft/n222ex#3c9efc7f) the helicopter's tail number is N222EX, a helicopter that appears to match one on a social media account owned by influencer Eric Nixon. The helicopter's registered owner is listed as Nixon in public records.
A partial tail number of N222E can be seen in Citizen user video.
A large emergency personnel response is on the scene.
A Citizen user shows video of a helicopter down in the area. Injuries are unknown at this time.
This alert was created by a community member. Citizen is working to gather more information. If you’re nearby, broadcast live or comment to share updates.
Incident reported at 21577 Pacific Coast Hwy.
The National Transportation Safety Board’s preliminary report determined that one of the tail rotor pitch links disconnected before impact, leading to a total loss of control.
Federal investigators say a malfunction in the helicopter’s tail rotor caused it to spin out of control and crash into a staircase on October 11, according to an update from CBS News.
According to Samdesk, all injured victims have been sent to the hospital. Open-source traffic data indicates that the area of the crash has reopened to traffic.
According to Samdesk, officials have temporarily closed parts of the Pacific Coast Highway and surrounding streets for rescue operations and clean-up.
The Cars ‘N Copters on the Coast event was scheduled nearby.
Two people were safely pulled from the wreckage, according to local reports. They were taken to the hospital along with three people who were injured while on the ground. The severity of the injuries is unclear.
A [social media post](https://www.instagram.com/p/DOoZrsdETAT/) shows what appears to be the same helicopter in the same area as the crash in September.
According to [FlightRadar24 data,](https://www.flightradar24.com/data/aircraft/n222ex#3c9efc7f) the helicopter's tail number is N222EX, a helicopter that appears to match one on a social media account owned by influencer Eric Nixon. The helicopter's registered owner is listed as Nixon in public records.
A partial tail number of N222E can be seen in Citizen user video.
A large emergency personnel response is on the scene.
A Citizen user shows video of a helicopter down in the area. Injuries are unknown at this time.
This alert was created by a community member. Citizen is working to gather more information. If you’re nearby, broadcast live or comment to share updates.
Incident reported at 21577 Pacific Coast Hwy.
The National Transportation Safety Board’s preliminary report determined that one of the tail rotor pitch links disconnected before impact, leading to a total loss of control.
Federal investigators say a malfunction in the helicopter’s tail rotor caused it to spin out of control and crash into a staircase on October 11, according to an update from CBS News.
According to Samdesk, all injured victims have been sent to the hospital. Open-source traffic data indicates that the area of the crash has reopened to traffic.
According to Samdesk, officials have temporarily closed parts of the Pacific Coast Highway and surrounding streets for rescue operations and clean-up.
The Cars ‘N Copters on the Coast event was scheduled nearby.
Two people were safely pulled from the wreckage, according to local reports. They were taken to the hospital along with three people who were injured while on the ground. The severity of the injuries is unclear.
A [social media post](https://www.instagram.com/p/DOoZrsdETAT/) shows what appears to be the same helicopter in the same area as the crash in September.
According to [FlightRadar24 data,](https://www.flightradar24.com/data/aircraft/n222ex#3c9efc7f) the helicopter's tail number is N222EX, a helicopter that appears to match one on a social media account owned by influencer Eric Nixon. The helicopter's registered owner is listed as Nixon in public records.
A partial tail number of N222E can be seen in Citizen user video.
A large emergency personnel response is on the scene.
A Citizen user shows video of a helicopter down in the area. Injuries are unknown at this time.
This alert was created by a community member. Citizen is working to gather more information. If you’re nearby, broadcast live or comment to share updates.
Incident reported at 21577 Pacific Coast Hwy.
The National Transportation Safety Board’s preliminary report determined that one of the tail rotor pitch links disconnected before impact, leading to a total loss of control.
Federal investigators say a malfunction in the helicopter’s tail rotor caused it to spin out of control and crash into a staircase on October 11, according to an update from CBS News.
According to Samdesk, all injured victims have been sent to the hospital. Open-source traffic data indicates that the area of the crash has reopened to traffic.
According to Samdesk, officials have temporarily closed parts of the Pacific Coast Highway and surrounding streets for rescue operations and clean-up.
The Cars ‘N Copters on the Coast event was scheduled nearby.
Two people were safely pulled from the wreckage, according to local reports. They were taken to the hospital along with three people who were injured while on the ground. The severity of the injuries is unclear.
A [social media post](https://www.instagram.com/p/DOoZrsdETAT/) shows what appears to be the same helicopter in the same area as the crash in September.
According to [FlightRadar24 data,](https://www.flightradar24.com/data/aircraft/n222ex#3c9efc7f) the helicopter's tail number is N222EX, a helicopter that appears to match one on a social media account owned by influencer Eric Nixon. The helicopter's registered owner is listed as Nixon in public records.
A partial tail number of N222E can be seen in Citizen user video.
A large emergency personnel response is on the scene.
A Citizen user shows video of a helicopter down in the area. Injuries are unknown at this time.
This alert was created by a community member. Citizen is working to gather more information. If you’re nearby, broadcast live or comment to share updates.
Incident reported at 21577 Pacific Coast Hwy.
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Bringing politics into a random heli crash is crazy
Sounds like that political cousin who can't help themselves and bring politics into everything.
Thank god they're at the hospital and not the morgue! 🙏
I hope the FAA is able to get that eyewitnesses' cellphone video as it shows the helicopter begin to rotate out of control before crashing. It would be incredibly useful.
@albuquerqueUser1697787001 yes it would.. sad incident
Yeah what does this have to do with trump 😭 or anyone other then the pilot 😭😭
Bringing politics into a random heli crash is crazy
Sounds like that political cousin who can't help themselves and bring politics into everything.
Thank god they're at the hospital and not the morgue! 🙏
I hope the FAA is able to get that eyewitnesses' cellphone video as it shows the helicopter begin to rotate out of control before crashing. It would be incredibly useful.
@albuquerqueUser1697787001 yes it would.. sad incident
Yeah what does this have to do with trump 😭 or anyone other then the pilot 😭😭
Bringing politics into a random heli crash is crazy
Sounds like that political cousin who can't help themselves and bring politics into everything.
Thank god they're at the hospital and not the morgue! 🙏
I hope the FAA is able to get that eyewitnesses' cellphone video as it shows the helicopter begin to rotate out of control before crashing. It would be incredibly useful.
@albuquerqueUser1697787001 yes it would.. sad incident
Yeah what does this have to do with trump 😭 or anyone other then the pilot 😭😭
Bringing politics into a random heli crash is crazy
Sounds like that political cousin who can't help themselves and bring politics into everything.
Thank god they're at the hospital and not the morgue! 🙏
I hope the FAA is able to get that eyewitnesses' cellphone video as it shows the helicopter begin to rotate out of control before crashing. It would be incredibly useful.
@albuquerqueUser1697787001 yes it would.. sad incident
Yeah what does this have to do with trump 😭 or anyone other then the pilot 😭😭
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Bringing politics into a random heli crash is crazy
Sounds like that political cousin who can't help themselves and bring politics into everything.
Thank god they're at the hospital and not the morgue! 🙏
I hope the FAA is able to get that eyewitnesses' cellphone video as it shows the helicopter begin to rotate out of control before crashing. It would be incredibly useful.
@albuquerqueUser1697787001 yes it would.. sad incident
Yeah what does this have to do with trump 😭 or anyone other then the pilot 😭😭