Helicopter Crash off Catalina Island; Avalon, California

8MQR+62 Avalon, CA, USA | 2026-Sep-30

Initial Notification: On September 30, 2026, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) contacted the NOAA Scientific Support Coordinator (SSC) regarding a helicopter that crashed into the Pacific Ocean 0.2 nautical miles off Pebbly Beach on Catalina Island. Five people were reported to have been aboard the aircraft. Two people have been transported to the hospital. Two deceased persons have been recovered and one person remains missing. Maximum amount of fuel on board is reported to be 131 gallons of Jet-A. USCG press releases: October 1, 2026, Coast Guard, Partners Respond to a Helicopter Crash offshore Santa Catalina Island, https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-Releases/Article/4615899/coast-guard-partners-respond-to-a-helicopter-crash-offshore-santa-catalina-isla/. October 2, 2026, UPDATE: Coast Guard ends search offshore Santa Catalina Island, https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-Releases/Article/4617351/update-coast-guard-ends-search-offshore-santa-catalina-island/.