Police report the Bell 222 helicopter spun out of control near Hyatt Regency Resort
October 11, 2025 | Huntington Beach, CA
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Five individuals sustained injuries in a helicopter accident on the Pacific Coast Highway in Huntington Beach. The crash involved a 1980 Bell 222 aircraft that lost control and collided with a pedestrian bridge.
What Happened in the Helicopter Crash?
A passenger in the helicopter from Huntington Beach was hospitalized with unspecified injuries after the aircraft crashed into a pedestrian bridge near the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort and Spa in Orange County.
Authorities from the Huntington Beach Police Department reported that the helicopter, piloted by Eric Nixon, departed from Redlands Municipal Airport and was heading to the Cars and Copters on the Coast event when the incident occurred.
- Date: Oct. 11, 2025
- Location: Pacific Coast Highway near the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort and Spa, Huntington Beach, California
- Aircraft: 1980 Bell 222 helicopter piloted by Eric Nixon
- Details: The aircraft spun out of control around 2 p.m., hitting several palm trees before impacting a pedestrian bridge.
- Injuries: One passenger aboard the helicopter and three pedestrians below were taken to hospitals with injuries not specified. Pilot Eric Nixon also suffered injuries.
- Investigation: Officials are probing possible causes including pilot error, mechanical problems, or design flaws in the aircraft.
What Were the Injuries and Potential Impacts?
Those hurt in the accident required hospital treatment. Such incidents can result in serious harm like broken spines or multiple traumas, frequently leading to extended medical treatment and recovery.
Why Do Helicopter Accidents Happen?
Various elements can contribute to helicopter crashes, such as mistakes by the pilot, equipment malfunctions, and weather influences. Data from the National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration indicate that numerous incidents could be avoided.
Common Causes of Helicopter Accidents |
Description |
Approximate Percentage |
Source |
|---|
Pilot Error |
Mistakes in judgment, handling, or choices |
Approximately 80% |
NTSB Aviation Accident Statistics |
Mechanical Failure |
Issues with design, upkeep, or components |
Approximately 15-20% |
FAA Helicopter Safety Report & NTSB Reports |
Weather Conditions |
Reduced visibility, wind gusts, or bad weather |
Approximately 10-15% |
USHST Annual Report 2024 |
Other Factors |
Flight into terrain, tiredness, or excess load |
Varies |
NTSB General Aviation Study |
In 2024, the United States Helicopter Safety Team documented 88 helicopter accidents across the nation, with 13 being fatal and resulting in 30 deaths, USHST 2024 Annual Summary.
Expert Insights
Newsline reached out to national legal analysts for broad perspectives on helicopter incidents.
"Helicopter crashes are often complex, and many factors can play a role in these types of accidents. An attorney can advocate for a grieving family by hiring expert witnesses, locating witnesses to the crash, while working with the NTSB and other investigating agencies. Serving as an advocate, an attorney can help compassionately guide a family during this difficult time, protecting their legal rights and best interests."
— Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal.
- Key Takeaway: In cases such as this, detailed probes are essential to identify elements like pilot mistakes or equipment failures.
"Injured victims involved in a collision often seek a personal injury claim to cover the cost of medical bills, future medical care, loss of income, emotional trauma, and pain and suffering. Insurance companies can be notoriously unconcerned with the mounting costs that an injured party may accrue. An attorney can help. We protect the victims of these tragedies daily, forcing the insurance companies to pay for their mistakes."
— Stefano Formica, of counsel with Bond Legal.
- Key Takeaway: Those hurt in helicopter accidents might file claims for damages, underscoring the importance of legal aid for dealing with insurance and health costs.
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(This report is based on verified data - learn more on our About Us page.)
If you or a family member has been affected by a similar incident, national legal analyst Candice Bond is available for a free consultation. Use the contact information provided on this page.
(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Newsline can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-985-6515 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).