It was supposed to be a day of celebration and spectacle — engines roaring, rotors spinning, families enjoying the “Cars ‘N Copters on the Coast” event in sunny Huntington Beach, California. Instead, it turned into a terrifying scene on Saturday afternoon when a helicopter lost control and crashed just steps from the crowded shoreline, injuring five people, including a child.
According to reports, the chopper — a Bell 222SP, made famous by the 1980s show Airwolf — was seen lowering steadily toward the tree line before suddenly jerking upward and spiraling out of control. Around 2 p.m., the aircraft crashed into a line of palm trees near the beach, its tail snapping off as debris scattered across the area.
Witnesses described the moment with disbelief. “You could hear this odd sound that didn’t sound right,” said Kevin Bullat, who was nearby. “I looked out and saw the helicopter spiraling out of control… debris catapulting across PCH.”
Two people aboard the helicopter were safely removed, but three pedestrians on the ground were injured by falling debris and the collapsing palm tree. All five victims — including a child — were transported to local hospitals. Their conditions remain unknown.
Footage from the scene shows the chopper wedged between the broken palms and a staircase at the edge of the sand — a twisted, smoking reminder of how quickly things can go wrong.
The crash occurred near the Waterfront Beach Resort, where the Cars ‘N Copters event was taking place — an annual gathering that showcases exotic cars, luxury helicopters, and high-powered aircraft, with proceeds benefiting the Huntington Beach Police & Community Foundation.
Officials confirmed that the helicopter was “associated with the Cars and Copters event,” though it’s still unclear whether the owner, Eric Nixon, was at the controls. Nixon, an aviation enthusiast known for flying daring routes and posting his flights on Instagram, had recently promoted the exact aircraft on social media.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched an investigation into what went wrong. Early reports suggest a mechanical failure — possibly involving the tail rotor — may have caused the loss of control.
For now, the community is left shaken. What was meant to be a family-friendly day of engineering marvels nearly became a tragedy.
And while California officials will surely promise “a full investigation,” let’s hope they focus less on the politics of regulation and more on ensuring safety at events that draw thousands of spectators. Because when machines meet crowds, one malfunction can turn a festival into chaos — and that’s something no family should have to witness again. ??
