Huntington Beach Helicopter Crash Injured Five People

Helicopter Associated With Cars and Copters on the Coast Event Crashed Along Pacific Coast Highway in Huntington Beach

HUNTINGTON BEACH, CALIFORNIA (October 11, 2025) – Five people were injured when a helicopter crashed along the Pacific Coast Highway in Huntington Beach.

Orange County officials are saying that the crash took place around 2:09 PM on Saturday. A helicopter associated with the Cars and Copters on the Coast event crashed in between palm trees and a residential stairway.

Spectators recalled seeing the helicopter suddenly descend before hitting the ground. Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene of the crash to help the victims.

Two people on the helicopter were injured. Three people in the street were also injured in the crash.

All five injured parties were transported to the hospital to receive treatment. The FAA and NTSB have both been notified of the crash and will be conducting an investigation.

Liability for Orange County Helicopter Accidents

Helicopters are generally considered common carriers in California, and they must operate with the utmost caution to avoid causing harm to their passengers. According to Acosta v. Southern California Rapid Transit Dist, “Common carriers bind themselves to carry safely those whom they take into their vehicles, and owe both a duty of utmost care and the vigilance of a very cautious person towards their passengers. Such carriers are responsible for any, even the slightest, negligence and are required to do all that human care, vigilance, and foresight reasonably can do under all the circumstances.” There are many ways that helicopter pilots may have contributed to a crash.

• Flying Too Low: Helicopters must operate above minimum altitudes. In particular, they should not fly low over populated areas, such as beaches and other residential sectors.
• Failure to Respond to Warning Signs: A pilot may fail to properly respond to warning signs. Most helicopters are equipped with radar that alerts the pilot when they are dangerously low.
• Improper Emergency Procedures: A pilot may have failed to perform the correct emergency maneuvers in the event they lose control. To that end, it is critical for helicopter pilots to be well trained.

If a helicopter pilot is negligent and contributes to a crash, their employer could be held at fault. As a general principle, employers in California can be held vicariously liable for the wrongful actions of their workers–insofar as they were operating within the course and scope of their job duties. This can include instances where a pilot was transporting customers from one location to the next. However, helicopter crashes are often highly complex events. Several parties aside from a pilot could bear legal responsibility.

Common Causes of Orange County Helicopter Crashes

Helicopters can be extremely difficult to operate and are involved in a number of serious crashes each year. According to AFAR, “The fatal accident rate (the number of accidents that resulted in one or more fatalities) for all helicopters in the United States over the past five years was 0.73 per 100,000 flight hours, according to a recent report from the U.S. Helicopter Safety Team.” There could be many different causes of helicopter crashes aside from pilot error.

• Mechanical Failures: There are many different types of mechanical failures that may contribute to a crash. This includes fuel contamination and turbine wear. Hydraulic failure could also cause a loss of control assistance, thereby making it extremely difficult to operate the helicopter.
• Environmental Factors: Poor weather conditions can overwhelm even the most experienced pilots. It is also possible that a bird could make contact with the rotor and throw the helicopter completely off balance.
• Maintenance: Helicopters require extensive maintenance. Any type of improper maintenance could cause a catastrophic failure. In certain instances, non-approved parts may be added to a helicopter.

Depending on how any helicopter crash takes place, there could be several liable parties. It is critical for these accidents to be thoroughly investigated by experienced legal counsel. An Orange County helicopter accident attorney can investigate the unique facts of any case and help uncover all parties that could be liable. Victims of helicopter crashes are protected by a number of laws. They are able to seek financial compensation through a personal injury claim.

Investigating Orange County Helicopter Crashes

We at Samer Habbas & Associates PC extend our best wishes to all of the people injured in this Huntington Beach helicopter crash. It is our sincere hope that they will be able to make a full recovery. Any person that may have more information should reach out to the FAA. Several questions still need to be answered. What was the altitude of this helicopter prior to its descent? When was the last time this helicopter was maintained?

Have you or someone you care about been injured in a Huntington Beach helicopter crash? You may be entitled to significant financial compensation. Our team of Orange County helicopter crash attorneys is here to help. We are committed to getting victims the medical and financial support that they need to recover. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at 949-727-9300.