A medical helicopter operated by REACH Air Medical Services crashed into the ocean off Santa Catalina Island on Wednesday evening, shortly after takeoff. Authorities reported that two people were killed, two were taken to mainland hospitals, and one person remained missing as search efforts continued Thursday.

The Los Angeles County Fire Department stated that units, along with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Avalon Fire, and the U.S. Coast Guard, were dispatched at 7:53 p.m. to a helicopter crash off the coast near Pebbly Beach, about a mile from Avalon. The aircraft, identified by the National Transportation Safety Board as a Eurocopter EC-135-P2 and by the Coast Guard as an Airbus H135, was submerged in approximately 240 feet of water a short distance from the island.

Catalina Island lies about 22 miles off the Los Angeles County mainland.

“Of the onboard patients, four of the five have been found. There is still one outstanding. Two were transported to local area hospitals on the mainland in stable condition. We can confirm there are two deceased at the scene,” L.A. County Fire Engineer Jonathan Torres told local outlet KTLA.

The Los Angeles County Fire Department further confirmed that first responders pulled four people from the water, two of whom were pronounced dead at the scene.

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Two people were killed, one person is missing and two were hospitalized after a medevac helicopter crashed into the ocean off Catalina Island Wednesday night, officials with the Los Angeles County Fire Department confirmed. https://t.co/uheSYFMPls pic.twitter.com/HqIAO6CLWU

— KTLA (@KTLA) October 1, 2026

Preliminary information from the Federal Aviation Administration stated that the pilot and a cabin crew member were killed, another cabin crew member was seriously injured, and a passenger had minor injuries. Local outlet KNBC identified the missing person as the patient being transported.

Identities have not been publicly released as of Thursday afternoon.

Coast Guard Captain Stacey Crecy said at a news conference that the helicopter went down shortly after takeoff and hit the water a short distance from the island. “We believe that the medical aircraft was transporting a person off the island for additional medical care on the mainland,” Crecy said.

“We’re still doing an active search for the person who’s missing and then in addition to that, the divers and the remote operated vehicle are going to get a look at more of the wreckage and hopefully if there’s a sunken fuselage … we’re hoping to get a better picture of that this morning,” she added.

REACH Air Medical Services, based in the Sacramento area and a subsidiary of Global Medical Response, confirmed the aircraft was one of its helicopters. “We are aware of an incident involving a REACH Air Medical Services helicopter. At this time, we are gathering information and coordinating with emergency responders and authorities. Our thoughts are with the families, loved ones and colleagues affected by this tragedy. We are focused on supporting our team and everyone impacted during this incredibly difficult time. Out of respect for those involved and the ongoing response, we are unable to share additional details at this time,” the company said in a statement.

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating, while search and rescue efforts have continued throughout the day Thursday. A cause of the crash has not been determined as of this report.

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