Two medical helicopters experienced incidents near Catalina Island on Sept. 30
Written by AI from 2 reports listed below. Not checked by a person before publication. How we use AI
The FAA is investigating a Mercy Air Eurocopter that departed from Pebbly Beach on Catalina Island on Sept. 30; the aircraft dropped to 75 feet about 40 seconds after takeoff, touched water and then recovered; the pilot said visibility was unclear through night‑vision goggles, there was no moon and the ocean was calm; the FAA said it is aware of and looking into the incident.
A REACH Air Medical Services Eurocopter climbed to about 175 feet at 7:46 p.m. before rapidly descending; the crash killed patient Catalina Romero, nurse Jessica Devries and pilot Steve Robinson; two other occupants were rescued from the water; Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department divers found Romero’s body 218 feet below the wreckage a day later.