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Tag: Helicopter

  • Retired 100-year-old fighter pilot from Escondido receives Medal of Honor

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    President Trump honored two storied military veterans during his State of the Union address, including 100-year-old veteran Royce Williams of Escondido, who survived what is believed to be the longest dog fight in military history.

    The former Navy fighter pilot, who was seated next to First Lady Melania Trump in the Capitol during the president’s address Tuesday night, flew more than 220 missions in World War II as well as the wars in Korea and Vietnam.

    Trump called Williams “a living legend” before describing his war-time heroics.

    “In the skies over Korea in 1952, Royce was in the dogfight of a lifetime, a legendary dogfight,” Trump said. “Flying through blizzard conditions, his squadron was ambushed by seven Soviet fighter planes.”

    Despite being outnumbered, Williams took down four of the jet fighters as his plane was hit more than 260 times and he was severely injured.

    The incident was kept confidential because the Soviet Union was not officially a combatant in the Korean conflict, and American officials feared that if the air battle became known, it could compel the Soviets to formally enter the war.

    Williams didn’t speak about the details of the encounter — even with family members — until records about the dogfight were declassified in 2002.

    “His story was secret for over 50 years. He didn’t even want to tell his wife, but the legend grew and grew,” Trump said. “Tonight, at 100 years old, this brave Navy captain is finally getting the recognition he deserves.”

    Trump then announced that Williams would receive the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military decoration. Melania Trump placed the blue-ribboned medal around his neck.

    Williams was the guest of Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Bonsall), a fellow veteran.

    “My friend, constituent, and lifelong hero Royce Williams is a Top Gun pilot like no other, an American hero for all time, and now, a recipient of the highest honor in the land,” Issa said in a statement. “It was many years in the making, but it is my honor to have fought all these years for Royce to gain a recognition that he has not sought, but so richly deserves.”

    Trump also announced that the Medal of Honor would be awarded to Chief Warrant Officer Eric Slover, an Army helicopter pilot who was gravely wounded in the 2026 raid that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

    “While preparing to land, enemy machine guns fired from every angle, and Eric was hit very badly in the leg and hip. One bullet after another, he observed four agonizing shots shredding his leg into numerous pieces,” Trump said.

    Despite the gunshot wounds to his legs, with blood flowing through the helicopter he was piloting, “Eric maneuvered his helicopter with all of those lives and souls to face the enemy and let his gunners eliminate the threat, turn the helicopter around so the gunners could take care of business, saving the lives of his fellow warriors from what could have been a catastrophic crash deep in enemy territory,” Trump said.

    Trump added, “Chief Warrant Officer Slover is still recovering from his serious wounds, but I’m thrilled to say that he is here tonight with his wife, Amy. Eric and Amy, come on in.”

    Slover, with the aid of a walker, entered the gallery. “In recognition of Eric’s actions above and beyond the call of duty,” Trump said, “I would now like to ask Gen. Jonathan Braga to present Chief Warrant Officer Slover with our nation’s highest military award.”

    Trump added that he too hopes to one day receive a Medal of Honor.

    “But I was informed I’m not allowed to give it to myself,” Trump said. “But if they ever open up that law, I will be there with you someday.”

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    Seema Mehta

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  • Helicopters collide above New Jersey, 1 pilot dead, another critically injured

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    One pilot is dead and another has life-threatening injuries after the helicopters they were operating collided in mid-air above New Jersey, about 35 miles southeast of Philadelphia. CBS Philadelphia’s Ray Strickland has more.

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  • Battle in the Heavens: Ninja Gaiden 4 Makes Gaming History in the Air – Xbox Wire

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    Summary

    • Xbox, Koei Tecmo, and Team Ninja joined forces for a record-breaking stunt in honor of Ninja Gaiden 4.
    • We flew two helicopters across Miami, one carrying a 26-foot screen, and another transporting a player, dominating Ninja Gaiden 4 while airborne.
    • The event set a new Guinness World Records title for the largest video game display flown by helicopter.
    • Learn more below – Ninja Gaiden 4 arrives tomorrow, October 21.

    To celebrate the launch of Ninja Gaiden 4, we took the fight sky-high — literally. Imagine this: two helicopters slicing through the Miami night sky, one carrying a 26-foot wide screen (200+ sq ft in size), the other with Team Ninja Community Manager, Emmanuel “Master” Rodriguez, and diamond-certified recording artist Swae Lee.

    The result? A jaw-dropping, first-of-its-kind spectacle that fused gaming, technology, and pure adrenaline. The event also set a new Guinness World Records title for the largest video game display flown by helicopter.

    As the city lights shimmered below, Yakumo of the Raven ninja clan leapt into the night, battling enemies across an enormous screen suspended in the sky. Every slash, every grapple, every heart-pounding moment of combat came alive against the backdrop of snippets of an exclusive new record from Swae Lee entitled ‘Flammable’.

    The inspiration behind this stunt comes straight from Ninja Gaiden 4’s in-game lore. The denizens of Tokyo have escaped the toxic floodwaters by building skyward. The skyscraper district towers above the ruined city below, a breathtaking vertical landscape that mirrors the high-flying action we brought to life.

    Technology played a starring role in making this dream a reality. Using advanced sports broadcasting tech, we streamed live gameplay from Emmanuel’s helicopter to the massive screen – built by pioneering aerial media company, Heli-D – in the other.

    Timing, precision, and nerves of steel were everything — a misstep would have grounded the Raven. But as Yakumo fought and triumphed across the illuminated sky, it was clear that the risk was worth it.

    Ninja Gaiden 4 Helicopter Stunt Image - Master Rodriguez playing in helicopter

    This is more than a launch; it’s a celebration of everything Ninja Gaiden 4 stands for — precision, skill, and pushing limits. From the game’s lore-rich skyscrapers to the Miami skyline we soared across, we’ve redefined what it means to experience a video game live.

    In the dead of night, the ninja truly awakened — and for those lucky enough to witness it, the sky has never looked more alive.

    Ninja Gaiden 4 Helicopter Stunt Image - World Record display

    Ninja Gaiden 4 arrives tomorrow, October 21 for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, ROG Xbox Ally handhelds, Xbox Cloud, Xbox Play Anywhere – also available on Steam and PlayStation 5. Play it day one with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.

    The Deluxe Edition includes future gameplay content “The Two Masters”, along with additional character skins, weapon skins, and in-game items. Pre-order either the Standard Edition or the Deluxe Edition to get the Dark Dragon Descendent Yakumo skin at launch.

    More on Swae Lee

    Swae Lee first saw mainstream recognition as the younger and melodic half of southern hip-hop duo Rae Sremmurd. Swae has made a name for himself outside of his duo work, showcasing himself as a force to be reckoned with both within and beyond the hip-hop world. Tracks such as French Montana’s diamond-certified ‘Unforgettable’ highlight his singing chops, while his impressive list of writing credits includes Beyoncé’s ‘’

    Swae’s melodic repertoire, however, is not relegated exclusively to the R&B and hip-hop sphere as his crooning can also take on ballad form and mesh into a more electronic background as well—a complex Gemini in many ways. His impact on the music industry is also underscored by his record-breaking achievements, including the historic success of the Grammy-nominated track, ‘Sunflower’, which became the first-ever song to be certified 2x Diamond by the RIAA and holds one of the biggest streaming records in history. In addition to ‘Sunflower’, Swae’s contributions to hits like Travis Scott’s ‘Sicko Mode’ have also earned diamond certifications, further cementing his place as a dominant force in modern music. 


    NINJA GAIDEN 4 Preorder Standard Edition

    NINJA GAIDEN 4 Preorder Standard Edition

    Xbox Game Studios


    ☆☆☆☆☆
    40


    ★★★★★


    $69.99


    Pre-order now to receive the Dark Dragon Descendant Yakumo Skin at launch

    The definitive ninja hack & slash franchise returns with NINJA GAIDEN 4! Embark on a cutting-edge adventure where legacy meets innovation in this high-octane blend of style and no-holds-barred combat.

    Return of the Legend
    Experience a return to the intense, high-speed combat that established NINJA GAIDEN as a premier action game series. Prepare for a legacy reborn with captivating style for a new generation of players.

    Epic Hack and Slash Combat, Evolved
    NINJA GAIDEN 4 fuses Team NINJA’s tempered combat philosophy with the stylish, dynamic action gameplay of PlatinumGames. Engage in visually stunning combat that rewards precision and strategy. Use Bloodbind Ninjutsu to transform your weapons and unleash devastation upon your enemies, alongside legacy techniques like the Izuna Drop and Flying Swallow. The legendary Ryu Hayabusa also returns with a revamped yet familiar set of tools to master. With a customizable player experience, NINJA GAIDEN 4 will push action game veterans to their limits while allowing newcomers to enjoy a heart-pounding adventure full of twists and turns.

    An Ancient Enemy Returns
    An endless rain of miasma hangs over a near-future Tokyo in the wake of an ancient enemy’s resurrection. The fate of the city lies in the hands of young ninja prodigy, Yakumo. Fighting his way through cybernetic ninja soldiers and otherworldly creatures, Yakumo must reconcile a destiny he shares with the legendary Ryu Hayabusa himself and free Tokyo from the ancient curse that brought the city to its knees.


    NINJA GAIDEN 4 Preorder Deluxe Edition

    NINJA GAIDEN 4 Preorder Deluxe Edition

    Xbox Game Studios


    ☆☆☆☆☆
    1


    ★★★★★


    $89.99


    Pre-order now to receive the Dark Dragon Descendant Yakumo Skin at launch

    Experience a return to the intense, high-octane action of NINJA GAIDEN with the Deluxe Edition! The Deluxe Edition includes:

    • NINJA GAIDEN 4 base game
    • Future Gameplay Content “The Two Masters”*
    • Traditional Dark Blue and Legendary Black Falcon Ryu Skins
    • Blade of the Archfiend Ryu Weapon Skin
    • Divine Chimera and Raven Master Yakumo Skins
    • Divine Chimera Yakumo Weapon Set
    • 50,000 Bonus NinjaCoin
    • Additional In-Game Items such as Life Elixirs, Incense of Rebirth, Kongou Iron Brew, and more!

    The definitive ninja hack & slash franchise returns with NINJA GAIDEN 4! Embark on a cutting-edge adventure where legacy meets innovation in this high-octane blend of style and no-holds-barred combat.

    RETURN OF THE LEGEND
    Experience a return to the intense, high-speed combat that established NINJA GAIDEN as a premier action game series. Prepare for a legacy reborn with captivating style for a new generation of players.

    EPIC HACK AND SLASH COMBAT, EVOLVED
    NINJA GAIDEN 4 fuses Team NINJA’s tempered combat philosophy with the stylish, dynamic action gameplay of PlatinumGames. Engage in visually stunning combat that rewards precision and strategy. Use Bloodbind Ninjutsu to transform your weapons and unleash devastation upon your enemies, alongside legacy techniques like the Izuna Drop and Flying Swallow. The legendary Ryu Hayabusa also returns with a revamped yet familiar set of tools to master. With a customizable player experience, NINJA GAIDEN 4 will push action game veterans to their limits while allowing newcomers to enjoy a heart-pounding adventure full of twists and turns.

    AN ANCIENT ENEMY RETURNS
    An endless rain of miasma hangs over a near-future Tokyo in the wake of an ancient enemy’s resurrection. The fate of the city lies in the hands of young ninja prodigy, Yakumo. Fighting his way through cybernetic ninja soldiers and otherworldly creatures, Yakumo must reconcile a destiny he shares with the legendary Ryu Hayabusa himself and free Tokyo from the ancient curse that brought the city to its knees.

    *For release date when announced, see https://www.xbox.com/games/ninja-gaiden-4.

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    Joe Skrebels, Xbox Wire Editor-in-Chief

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  • Aloha Man Charged, Allegedly Targeted Law Enforcement Helicopters With Laser – KXL

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    Aloha man charged for allegedly pointing laser at federal helicopter. MGN image.

    PORTLAND, OR – The United States Attorney’s Office has announced that Brian Keith Kapileo Nepaial, 38, of Aloha, has been charged for allegedly pointing a laser at a U.S. Customs and Border Protection Helicopter and possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.

    According to court documents, a CBP helicopter was struck by a green laser on October 3rd, causing the pilot to abort a planned landing. The flight crew said they observed a person walking near a residence and disappearing.  The Federal Bureau of Investigation is said to have identified the residence, then agents executed a federal search warrant there a week later. Agents say they found a laser in the bedroom of Nepaial.  They also say they discovered over 100 grams of methamphetamine and evidence of drug trafficking.

    “Laser strikes are a serious matter with potentially deadly repercussions. They put the lives of the pilots and the public at risk. Aiming or pointing a laser at an aircraft is a federal crime and will be prosecuted,” said Scott E. Bradford, U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

    Aiming a laser pointer is punishable by up to five years in federal prison. Possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute is punishable by up to 40 years in federal prison.

    Kapileo Nepaial is currently in Washington County custody on a parole violation.

    More about:

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    Tim Lantz

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  • 5 hospitalized after helicopter crashes in busy oceanfront area of Huntington Beach

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    Five people, including a child, were hospitalized when a helicopter crashed in the Southern California city of Huntington Beach on Saturday afternoon.It happened just after 2 p.m. local time near a parking lot off Pacific Coast Highway, between Beach Boulevard and Twin Dolphins Drive, according to Huntington Beach firefighters. City officials tell CBS News that the two people on the helicopter were safely pulled from the wreckage. Three pedestrians on the street were also injured in the incident, and all five people were taken to the hospital for treatment. None of their conditions was known.Police closed PCH between Huntington Street and Beach Boulevard at around 3 p.m., as they began to investigate the crash. They asked people to avoid the area and use alternate routes for at least several hours after the closure was put into place. A dramatic video posted on social media shows the helicopter spinning several times before crashing into palm trees and the outdoor stairway of the pedestrian bridge that runs over PCH to the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort and Spa. Other video footage shows an object falling from the helicopter moments before it plummeted from the sky. With SkyCal over the scene, scattered debris was seen in the beach access parking lot, a large part of which was blocked off by police tape. The tail of the aircraft broke off in the crash, with the rest of the helicopter still wedged between the staircase and palm trees as of 4:30 p.m.There were several other small helicopters parked in the parking lot near where the crash happened, just in front of the Hyatt Regency and Waterfront Beach Resort. An “exclusive helicopter landing party” was being hosted by MD Helicopters at the Offshore 9 Rooftop Lounge on Saturday afternoon, where attendees were invited to “watch helicopters arrive from a bird’s eye view.” The landing party was scheduled ahead of the Cars ‘N Copters On the Coast main event on Sunday.Event organizers said that the event was not going to be canceled. “We are sending our prayers out to all involved in the unfortunate incident today,” said a statement. “Our plan for now is to move forward with our event tomorrow, Sunday, October 12th. We will advise everyone at the earliest possible opportunity if that plan changes.”Witnesses said that the helicopter appeared to dip towards the bridge before it lost control and crashed. “You can hear this odd sound that didn’t sound right,” said Kevin Bullat, who saw the scene unfold. “I looked out and I see the helicopter spiraling out of control. … My friend saw shrapnel, or just debris, catapulting across PCH.”It’s unclear what caused the helicopter to crash. The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board have been notified of the crash, city officials said. The helicopter was a Bell 222, which is powered by two turboshaft engines, and was manufactured in 1980.

    KCAL,KCBS —

    Five people, including a child, were hospitalized when a helicopter crashed in the Southern California city of Huntington Beach on Saturday afternoon.

    It happened just after 2 p.m. local time near a parking lot off Pacific Coast Highway, between Beach Boulevard and Twin Dolphins Drive, according to Huntington Beach firefighters.

    City officials tell CBS News that the two people on the helicopter were safely pulled from the wreckage. Three pedestrians on the street were also injured in the incident, and all five people were taken to the hospital for treatment. None of their conditions was known.

    Police closed PCH between Huntington Street and Beach Boulevard at around 3 p.m., as they began to investigate the crash. They asked people to avoid the area and use alternate routes for at least several hours after the closure was put into place.

    A dramatic video posted on social media shows the helicopter spinning several times before crashing into palm trees and the outdoor stairway of the pedestrian bridge that runs over PCH to the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort and Spa.

    Other video footage shows an object falling from the helicopter moments before it plummeted from the sky.

    With SkyCal over the scene, scattered debris was seen in the beach access parking lot, a large part of which was blocked off by police tape. The tail of the aircraft broke off in the crash, with the rest of the helicopter still wedged between the staircase and palm trees as of 4:30 p.m.

    There were several other small helicopters parked in the parking lot near where the crash happened, just in front of the Hyatt Regency and Waterfront Beach Resort. An “exclusive helicopter landing party” was being hosted by MD Helicopters at the Offshore 9 Rooftop Lounge on Saturday afternoon, where attendees were invited to “watch helicopters arrive from a bird’s eye view.” The landing party was scheduled ahead of the Cars ‘N Copters On the Coast main event on Sunday.

    Event organizers said that the event was not going to be canceled.

    “We are sending our prayers out to all involved in the unfortunate incident today,” said a statement. “Our plan for now is to move forward with our event tomorrow, Sunday, October 12th. We will advise everyone at the earliest possible opportunity if that plan changes.”

    Witnesses said that the helicopter appeared to dip towards the bridge before it lost control and crashed.

    “You can hear this odd sound that didn’t sound right,” said Kevin Bullat, who saw the scene unfold. “I looked out and I see the helicopter spiraling out of control. … My friend saw shrapnel, or just debris, catapulting across PCH.”

    It’s unclear what caused the helicopter to crash. The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board have been notified of the crash, city officials said.

    The helicopter was a Bell 222, which is powered by two turboshaft engines, and was manufactured in 1980.

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  • 5 taken to hospital after helicopter spirals out of control, slams into palms in Southern California

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    INVESTIGATION. FIVE PEOPLE ARE IN THE HOSPITAL AFTER A HELICOPTER CRASH IN HUNTINGTON BEACH. VIDEO SHOWS THE MOMENT THE HELICOPTER CRASHED TO THE GROUND. LOOK AT YOUR SCREEN. THE HELICOPTER SPINNING IN THE AIR RIGHT THERE. FIREFIGHTERS SAY THEY RESCUED TWO PEOPLE FROM THE HELICOPTER AND THREE PEOPLE ON THE GROUND WERE ALSO HURT. THEY WERE ALL TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT. THE CAUSE OF THIS CRASH IS NOW UNDER INVESTIGATION. ONE WITNESS SAYS THE HELICOPTER APPEARED READY TO LAND. HE SAYS ITS LANDING GEAR WAS DOWN, BUT THE CHOPPER APPROACHED THE GROUND. A PIECE BROKE OFF AND THAT SENT THAT H

    5 taken to hospital after helicopter spirals out of control, slams into palms in Southern California

    Updated: 8:31 PM PDT Oct 11, 2025

    Editorial Standards ⓘ

    A helicopter that was coasting above a popular Southern California beach Saturday suddenly lost control and began spiraling in midair, eventually losing altitude and slamming into a row of palms as stunned sunbathers and beachgoers looked on.Multiple videos posted online show the aircraft twirling clockwise above Huntington Beach, then plunging toward the edge of the beach, where it becomes wedged between palms and a staircase near Pacific coast Highway.| RELATED | Suzie Smith, nurse onboard Sacramento helicopter that crashed, has diedThe Huntington Beach Fire Department said five people were hospitalized, including two who were in the helicopter and were “safely pulled from the wreckage.” Three other people on the street were injured. Details on their injuries were not immediately available.No cause was released.The department said the helicopter was associated with an annual “Cars ‘N Copters” fundraising event planned for Sunday.

    HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. —

    A helicopter that was coasting above a popular Southern California beach Saturday suddenly lost control and began spiraling in midair, eventually losing altitude and slamming into a row of palms as stunned sunbathers and beachgoers looked on.

    Multiple videos posted online show the aircraft twirling clockwise above Huntington Beach, then plunging toward the edge of the beach, where it becomes wedged between palms and a staircase near Pacific coast Highway.

    | RELATED | Suzie Smith, nurse onboard Sacramento helicopter that crashed, has died

    The Huntington Beach Fire Department said five people were hospitalized, including two who were in the helicopter and were “safely pulled from the wreckage.” Three other people on the street were injured. Details on their injuries were not immediately available.

    No cause was released.

    The department said the helicopter was associated with an annual “Cars ‘N Copters” fundraising event planned for Sunday.

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  • Bystander recounts jumping in to help after medical helicopter crashes on Highway 50 in Sacramento

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    Bystander recounts jumping in to help after medical helicopter crashes on Highway 50 in Sacramento

    YOU’RE LOOKING AT. SO WE MENTIONED ACTS OF HEROISM TONIGHT. TAKE A LOOK AT THIS VIDEO JUST INTO OUR NEWSROOM. YOU CAN SEE THOSE BYSTANDERS WORKING TO LIFT THAT HELICOPTER OFF OF ONE OF THE VICTIMS. OUR TEAM COVERAGE CONTINUES NOW WITH KCRA 3’S CAROLINA ESTRADA. SHE’S LIVE FOR US ALONG HIGHWAY 50. IT IS REALLY SOMETHING TO SEE THERE. CATALINA. AND YOU HAD A CHANCE TO SPEAK WITH WITNESSES AND SOME OF THOSE BYSTANDERS WHO THEY JUMPED IN TO HELP, AND THEY HAD NO PROBLEM HELPING. NO. GULSTAN DART. THEY ACTUALLY TOLD US AND DESCRIBED THE MOMENTS RIGHT WHEN THEY SAW THAT HELICOPTER COMING TOWARDS THEM. THEY SAY IT WAS TERRIFYING. THEN THEY WERE IN DISBELIEF WHEN THEY SAW IT CRASH IN THE MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY 50, AND THEN THEY DIDN’T DOUBT TO JUMP IN AND HELP WHEN IT WAS NEEDED. WE’LL HEAR FROM THEM IN JUST A SECOND. BUT FIRST, I WANT TO SHOW YOU OUT HERE THE SCENE THAT WE HAVE FROM THIS VANTAGE POINT, WE HAVE SEEN THE SCENE CHANGE A LITTLE BIT, BUT THAT HELICOPTER IS STILL HERE IN THE MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY 50. YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO SEE SOME OF THAT DEBRIS AND ALSO THAT MEDICAL EQUIPMENT THAT’S SURROUNDING IT. SO WE HAVE SEEN AT LEAST 15 INVESTIGATORS, OFFICERS TAKING PICTURES. THEY WERE SCANNING THE SCENE. WE SAW THEM JUST MOVE THE LIGHTS TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE HELICOPTER. SO IT SEEMS LIKE THEY’RE FOCUSING THEIR INVESTIGATION NOW. ON THE OTHER SIDE. EARLIER TODAY THEY WERE ON THIS SIDE. WE CAN NOW SEE TRAFFIC STARTING TO FLOW. WE’VE SEEN HIGHWAY PATROL OFFICERS GUIDING THESE PEOPLE. YOU CAN SEE THEM DRIVING SLOWLY THERE ON THE SIDE OF THIS CRIME SCENE. SO THAT IS ACTUALLY BECAUSE THEY OPENED THE BARRIERS FROM THE FIX 50 PROJECT, AND THEY’RE ABLE TO LET THOSE VEHICLES THROUGH. AND YOU CAN IMAGINE THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE THAT WERE AT A STOP HERE WHEN THIS CRASH HAPPENED. THERE WAS ACTUALLY ANOTHER INCIDENT THAT CREATED A BACKUP. WE SPOKE TO A WITNESS WHO WAS WITH HIS WIFE WHEN THEY SAW THAT HELICOPTER COMING STRAIGHT AT THEM. TAKE A LISTEN. IT WAS VIOLENTLY SHAKING. THE HELICOPTER ITSELF. THE LANDING GEAR UNDERNEATH THE HELICOPTER ITSELF WAS SHAKING LIKE RATTLING IN THE AIR. SO I KNEW SOMETHING WAS OFF AS IT WAS APPROACHING VERY LOW, I WAS SCREAMING TO MY WIFE, I GO, THIS THING’S COMING DOWN, IT’S GOING DOWN, IT’S GOING DOWN, IT’S GOING DOWN. SURE ENOUGH, IT HIT HIGHWAY 50 AND AFTER THAT, AFTER THAT, WE SAW LOTS OF SMOKE. IT TOOK QUITE A WHILE FOR THAT ENGINE TO, LIKE, WIND DOWN OR EVENTUALLY JUST SHUT OFF. BUT IN THOSE 2 TO 3 MINUTES, IT WAS THERE WAS A LOT OF SMOKE THAT WAS ENTERING HIGHWAY 50. AND THAT PLUME OF SMOKE IS THE ONE THAT WE SAW IN PICTURES AND VIDEOS. BUT I WANT TO BRING YOU BACK OUT HERE LIVE QUICKLY, BECAUSE WE’RE JUST SEEING THAT TOW TRUCK ARRIVING HERE ON SCENE AS WE’RE LIVE. IT JUST PARKED HERE. WE IMAGINE THEY’RE ABOUT TO REMOVE THIS HELICOPTER. THERE’S A SECOND TOW TRUCK THAT I CAN SEE FROM THIS VANTAGE POINT HERE. CREWS ARE ABOUT TO GET OFF AND THEY’RE ABOUT TO START REMOVING THIS FROM THE MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY 50. THIS IS JUST HAPPENING AS WE’RE HERE LIVE. WE’RE SEEING THE OFFICERS NOW SURROUNDING IT. THEY’RE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT EXACTLY HOW THEY’RE GOING TO DO THIS. BUT WHILE WE SEE WHAT THEY’RE GOING TO DO IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF MINUTES, I WANT YOU TO TAKE A LESSON FROM THIS BYSTANDER WHO SAYS SHE WAS IN HER CAR, STOPPED HERE IN THE MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY 50 WHEN AFTER THAT SMOKE CLEARED, THEY SAW THAT FIRST RESPONDERS NEEDED HELP GETTING SOMEONE WHO WAS PINNED IN THIS HELICOPTER OUT. JUST TAKE A LISTEN TO HER TESTIMONY. IT JUST PLUMMETED OUT OF THE SKY AND IT HIT HARD, OBVIOUSLY, BECAUSE IT WAS FALLING. AND THEN JUST INSTANTANEOUS BLACK SMOKE EVERYWHERE JUST ENGULFED THE WHOLE THING. AS SOON AS I SAW THAT EVERYBODY WAS MOVING, THE TRYING TO PUSH THE HELICOPTER OUT TO GET HELP, THE FIRST RESPONDERS GET TO THE, THE, THE PASSENGER, I JUST RAN OVER AND I GOT IN ONLINE IN, IN THE LINE OF PEOPLE AND WAS JUST HELP PUSHING IT AS MUCH AS I COULD. AND THEN AND THEN WE HELD IT FOR SEVERAL MINUTES SO THE FIRST RESPONDER COULD GET THE PERSON OUT. AND, YOU KNOW, SHE’S STILL TRYING TO PROCESS EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENED. I ASKED HER, YOU KNOW, WHAT WAS GOING THROUGH YOUR MIND WHEN YOU SEE THAT? SHE SAID, THE ONLY THING THAT WAS GOING THROUGH MY MIND WAS TO HELP. AND YOU CAN IMAGINE HOW HEAVY THIS HELICOPTER IS, SINCE THEY HAVE AT LEAST TWO TOW TRUCKS HERE ON SCENE. AND JUST IMAGINING THAT GROUP OF 15 PEOPLE LIFTING THAT HELICOPTER JUST TO HELP SOMEONE IS REALLY JUST INCREDIBLE TO HEAR. WE NOW KNOW THAT THREE PEOPLE ARE IN CRITICAL CONDITION, AND ONE OF THOSE WAS THE ONE THAT THEY HELPED SAVE. AND JUST BACK OUT HERE LIVE, WE CAN START SEEING THOSE PLASTIC BAGS THAT ARE COMING OUT. THEY’RE GOING TO START PICKING UP ALL OF THAT DEBRIS. SOME OF IT THAT MEDICAL EQUIPMENT THAT WE CAN IMAGINE WAS ON THIS HELICOPTER. WE SAW A LOT OF PAPERS. WE CAN SEE THERE’S SOME CREWS STARTING TO PUT THEM IN THOSE WHITE TRASH BAGS HERE. IT WILL PROBABLY TAKE A WHILE FOR THEM TO BE ABLE TO REMOVE ALL OF THIS. WE SEE THAT DOOR FROM THE HELICOPTER CLOSER TO WHERE WE’RE STANDING. SO REMOVAL EFFORTS OF THIS HELICOPTER ARE ABOUT TO START HERE. WE DON’T KNOW HOW LONG THAT’S GOING TO TAKE, BUT THEY ARE LETTING TRAFFIC THROUGH HERE RIGHT NOW. BUT AFTER ALL, YOU KNOW, THERE’S STILL A LOT OF QUESTIONS EDIE GULSTAN DART ABOUT WHAT EXACTLY LED UP TO THIS HELICOPTER CRASHING HERE ON SCENE. BUT WHAT WE REALLY TAKE AWAY AS WELL IS JUST THE HEROISM OF THOSE 15 PEOPLE THAT JUST DECIDED TO MISS THE CHAOS, TO GET OFF AND HELP AND, YOU KNOW, GET THAT PERSON OUT. AND THEY TELL ME THAT REALLY ALL THEY’RE HOPING FOR TONIGHT IS THAT ALL THREE OF THE PEOPLE THAT WERE INSIDE OF THAT HELICOPTER WHEN IT CRASHED MAKE IT. LI

    Bystander recounts jumping in to help after medical helicopter crashes on Highway 50 in Sacramento

    Updated: 11:21 PM PDT Oct 6, 2025

    Editorial Standards ⓘ

    A medical helicopter crash critically injured three crew members and stopped traffic on Highway 50 in Sacramento on Monday night. Multiple witnesses watched as the helicopter came crashing down on the eastbound lanes of Highway 50 near Stockton Boulevard just after 7 p.m.”It was violently shaking,” said Chad Montgomery. Montgomery was stuck in traffic on Highway 50 with his wife when they saw the crashing helicopter getting closer.”The landing gear under the helicopter itself was just shaking, like rattling in the air,” Montgomery said. “So I knew something was off as it was approaching very low. I was screaming to my wife, I go, ‘This thing’s coming down.’”Montgomery said just after the aircraft came down, smoke immediately poured out.”It took quite a while for that engine to like, wind down or eventually just shut off. But in those two to three minutes, it was—there was a lot of smoke that was entering Highway 50,” he said. The model of the helicopter that crashed was an H130, which is designed to prevent post-crash fires by containing the fuel. Learn more about the helicopter here. Some of those who witnessed the crash also became rescuers.”It just plummeted out of the sky,” said Aimee Braddock, another witness. “It hit hard.”Braddock joined around a dozen others who rushed in to help lift the helicopter off a trapped crew member.”As soon as I saw that everybody was moving to try to push the helicopter out to help the first responders get to the passenger, I just ran over and got in the line of people and was just pushing it as much as I could,” Braddock recounted. “Then we held it for several minutes, so the first responder could get the person out.”Crews later moved construction barriers so the drivers stuck on Highway 50 after the crash could move. Sacramento Mayor Kevin McCarty shared a post on X thanking the first responders and civilians who jumped in to help.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. —

    A medical helicopter crash critically injured three crew members and stopped traffic on Highway 50 in Sacramento on Monday night.

    Multiple witnesses watched as the helicopter came crashing down on the eastbound lanes of Highway 50 near Stockton Boulevard just after 7 p.m.

    “It was violently shaking,” said Chad Montgomery.

    Montgomery was stuck in traffic on Highway 50 with his wife when they saw the crashing helicopter getting closer.

    “The landing gear under the helicopter itself was just shaking, like rattling in the air,” Montgomery said. “So I knew something was off as it was approaching very low. I was screaming to my wife, I go, ‘This thing’s coming down.’”

    Montgomery said just after the aircraft came down, smoke immediately poured out.

    “It took quite a while for that engine to like, wind down or eventually just shut off. But in those two to three minutes, it was—there was a lot of smoke that was entering Highway 50,” he said.

    The model of the helicopter that crashed was an H130, which is designed to prevent post-crash fires by containing the fuel. Learn more about the helicopter here.

    Some of those who witnessed the crash also became rescuers.

    “It just plummeted out of the sky,” said Aimee Braddock, another witness. “It hit hard.”

    Braddock joined around a dozen others who rushed in to help lift the helicopter off a trapped crew member.

    “As soon as I saw that everybody was moving to try to push the helicopter out to help the first responders get to the passenger, I just ran over and got in the line of people and was just pushing it as much as I could,” Braddock recounted. “Then we held it for several minutes, so the first responder could get the person out.”

    Crews later moved construction barriers so the drivers stuck on Highway 50 after the crash could move.

    Sacramento Mayor Kevin McCarty shared a post on X thanking the first responders and civilians who jumped in to help.

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  • Helicopter crash critically injures 3, shuts down highway in California

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    Helicopter crash critically injures 3, shuts down highway in California

    UPDATES. ANY VEHICLES IMPACTED? I DO NOT HAVE THAT INFORMATION AT THIS TIME. DO WE KNOW IF THIS WAS A CRASH OR WERE THEY TRYING TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY LANDING? DO WE HAVE ANY IDEA? I DON’T HAVE THAT INFORMATION EITHER. SORRY. AS FAR AS TRANSPORTS, JUSTIN, YOU MENTIONED, CAN YOU SPEAK TO ANYTHING ABOUT VICTIMS AND THINGS LIKE THAT? YEAH. SO, JUSTIN, SYLVIA, JUSTIN. SYLVIA. CAPTAIN, PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER, SACRAMENTO FIRE. OUR UNITS WERE DISPATCHED AT 708 FOR A VEHICLE EXTRICATION ASSIGNMENT. THAT’S ONE ENGINE, ONE TRUCK, AND A BATTALION CHIEF, AS WELL AS AN AMBULANCE. FURTHER UPDATES CAME IN FROM MULTIPLE CALLERS REPORTING A HELICOPTER HAD CRASHED IN THE MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY 50. AT THAT POINT, WE WERE GETTING INITIAL REPORTS THAT THERE WERE VEHICLES INVOLVED. HOWEVER, AFTER WALKING THE SCENE, THERE ARE NO ADDITIONAL VEHICLES INVOLVED. THE ONLY THREE VICTIMS ON SCENE WERE ABOARD THE AIRCRAFT. THAT’S GOING TO BE A PILOT, A NURSE AND A PARAMEDIC. TWO FEMALES AND A MALE. THEY WERE TRANSPORTED TO LOCAL HOSPITALS. WE COULD NOT OVERWHELM UC DAVIS WITH THREE CRITICAL PATIENTS ALL AT ONCE. THEREFORE, WE CONTACTED UC DAVIS AND ASKED THEM FOR DESTINATIONS FOR THESE PATIENTS VICTIMS. I SHOULD SAY. THEY WERE TRANSPORTED IN CRITICAL CONDITION. SO THAT’S KIND OF WHERE WE’RE AT FOR THE FIRE SIDE OF THINGS. I WOULD LIKE TO ADD THAT THERE WAS ONE VICTIM THAT WAS TRAPPED UNDERNEATH THE HELICOPTER. WE ONLY HAD ONE ENGINE ON SCENE AT THAT POINT. OTHERS WERE TRYING TO MAKE ACCESS TO THE SCENE. THAT ONE PERSON THAT WAS TRAPPED, THE CAPTAIN, IMMEDIATELY SEQUESTERED THE HELP OF JUST CIVILIANS THAT WERE STANDING AROUND. THEY WERE ABLE TO LIFT PART OF THAT HELICOPTER OUT AND GET THAT VICTIM OUT, SO WE COULD GET THEM LOADED INTO THE BACK OF AN AMBULANCE AND TRANSPORTED OFF SCENE. WE HAVEN’T BEEN DOWN THERE. CAN YOU DESCRIBE WHAT YOU SAW? THE SCENE. ANYTHING LIKE THAT. SO THE SCENE BASICALLY LOOKS LIKE A HELICOPTER UPSIDE DOWN THAT HAS CRASHED IN THE FREEWAY. THERE’S A PRETTY LARGE DEBRIS FIELD AROUND THAT AT THIS POINT. THE LUCKY PORTION FOR US, I’D SAY, IS THE FACT THAT THE HELICOPTER DID NOT CATCH ON FIRE, BECAUSE THEN WE WOULD HAVE AN ADDITIONAL PROBLEM TO THAT. WHEN WE OPERATE ON THESE FREEWAYS WITH ANY TYPE OF FIRE RISK. WE DON’T HAVE FIRE HYDRANTS. SO ALL THAT WATER WOULD HAVE TO BE BROUGHT IN. AND IT BEING JET FUEL THAT’S LOADED INTO THESE AIRCRAFTS WOULD HAVE BEEN VERY HOT AND VERY INTENSE FIRE. SO FORTUNATELY WE DID NOT SEE ANY, ANY PART OF THAT. WE’RE EXTREMELY LUCKY THAT THERE WERE ONLY THREE VICTIMS. IT’S UNFORTUNATE THEY’RE IN CRITICAL CONDITION, BUT THEY ALL OF OUR AMBULANCES WERE OFF SCENE WITH TRANSPORTATION AND CARE BEING PERFORMED ON THESE VICTIMS WITHIN 20 MINUTES OF THE INCIDENT, YOU DESCRIBED THAT THEY WERE IN CRITICAL CONDITION. CAN YOU GIVE US ANY IDEA? I MEAN, WERE THEY WERE THEY ALERT WHEN YOU GUYS FOUND THEM? I MEAN, I KNOW YOU MENTIONED SOMEBODY BEING PINNED UNDER THE HELICOPTER. WHAT WAS AS MUCH AS YOU CAN SAY ABOUT THEIR PHYSICAL CONDITION WHEN YOU GUYS ENCOUNTERED THEM? THE ONLY THING I CAN SAY IS THAT THEY ARE IN CRITICAL CONDITION AT THIS POINT. IT’S UNKNOWN ON THE EXTENT OF THE INJURIES. WE WILL HAVE TO FOLLOW UP WITH THE LOCAL HOSPITALS TO SEE WHAT KIND OF CONDITION THEY’RE CURRENTLY IN. YOU MENTIONED NO CARS INVOLVED WHEN THE HELICOPTER CRASHED, BUT WERE THERE ANY SUBSEQUENT, YOU KNOW, CARS SLAMMING ON THEIR BRAKES AND CRASHING INTO EACH OTHER BECAUSE OF WHAT HAD JUST HAPPENED IN FRONT OF THEM? DO YOU KNOW? THAT’S SOMETHING THAT’S UNKNOWN TO US? THE ONLY THING THAT WE CAN SAY IS WHEN WE GET SOMETHING OF THIS MAGNITUDE, WE REALLY NEED TO FOCUS IN ON A VICTIM COUNT. BECAUSE IF WE’RE STARTING TO ASK FOR 20 OR 30 AMBULANCES, THOSE AMBULANCES ARE GOING TO BE COMING FROM QUITE A DISTANCE. SO WE REALLY NEED TO FOCUS IN ON GETTING HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE ACTUALLY INVOLVED IN THIS VEHICLE ACCIDENT OR THIS EXCUSE ME, HELICOPTER ACCIDENT THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED VEHICLES. LUCKILY, THERE WERE JUST THREE CRITICAL THAT WERE TRANSPORTED WITHIN 20 MINUTES. CAN YOU DESCRIBE MORE OF THE CHALLENGES YOU GUYS FACE TRYING TO GET ONTO THE FREEWAY? OBVIOUSLY, YOU GUYS ARE COMING FROM THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. TRAFFIC. TRAFFIC IS THE BIGGEST THING FOR US. EVERYONE’S JUST BOUND UP. THERE’S NOWHERE FOR THEM TO GO, ESPECIALLY IN A CONSTRUCTION ZONE. MAKES IT RATHER DIFFICULT FOR OUR LARGE APPARATUS TO NAVIGATE AROUND. BUT THAT’S WHERE WE GOT TO COME UP WITH THESE PLANS RIGHT AWAY. SO WE ENDED UP USING THE ONCOMING LANES, GETTING ON 59TH STREET TO ACCESS THAT ACCIDENT, BECAUSE ALL TRAFFIC FROM THERE HAD CEASED. AND CHP WAS A HUGE HELP TO US TO STOP ALL THAT TRAFFIC. SO OUR FIRST RESPONDERS COULD REALLY GET IN THERE AND START PERFORMING WHAT THEY NEEDED TO DO. WOULD YOU SAY US SAYING THAT THE HELICOPTER CRASHED ONTO THE FREEWAY IS THE BEST WAY TO DESCRIBE IT? DO WE KNOW IF THEY WERE TRYING TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY LANDING? WHAT’S KNOWN ABOUT THAT? THAT’S ALL UNKNOWN. IF YOU LOOK AT IT FROM JUST A BYSTANDER POINT OF VIEW, IT LOOKS LIKE IT CRASHED BECAUSE IT’S UPSIDE DOWN. BUT TO SAY FROM A PROFESSIONAL VIEW THAT IS NOT IN OUR LANE, THAT’S SOMETHING THAT AVIATION EXPERTS NEED TO NAVIGATE THROUGH. SO FEDERAL OFFICIALS ARE OBVIOUSLY WILL BE INVOLVED IN THIS INVESTIGATION. WHAT’S THE NEXT STEP WHEN IT COMES TO EITHER CLEANING THIS UP OR INVESTIGATING? ARE YOU ABLE TO SPEAK TO WHAT THE NEXT STEPS NOW WILL LOOK LIKE? I CAN’T SPEAK TO THAT. I CAN JUST SPEAK TO THE FIRE SIDE OF THE RESPONSE AND THE MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION SIDE. THANK YOU GUYS. YEAH. CAN WE FOLLOW YOU GUYS DOWN THERE OR. YEAH. JUST GO AHEAD AND TURN AROUND BEHIND US. OKAY. YOU’VE BEEN LISTENING TO A NEWS CONFERENCE RIGHT NOW. THAT WAS JUSTIN SILVA FROM THE SACRAMENTO FIRE DEPARTMENT EXPLAINING WHAT HAPPENED THIS EVENING INVOLVING THIS HELICOPTER THAT CRASHED SHORTLY AFTER TAKING OFF FROM THE UC DAVIS MEDICAL CENTER. HE SAYS THE CALL INITIALLY CAME IN ABOUT 708 TONIGHT, AND THEY INITIALLY THOUGHT THEY HAD A VEHICLE WITH PEOPLE THEY NEEDED TO EXTRICATE. BUT WHEN THEY GOT ON SCENE, THE HELICOPTER, THEY THEY REALIZED IT WAS A CHOPPER. IT WAS NOT A VEHICLE. AND THERE WAS SOME HEROIC ACTIONS TONIGHT BECAUSE WE UNDERSTAND ONE OF THE THREE PEOPLE ABOARD THAT CHOPPER WAS PINNED UNDER THE CHOPPER, AND THE SAC FIRE CAPTAIN GOT BYSTANDERS FROM THE AREA TO LIFT THAT HELICOPTER OFF OF THAT VICTIM. AND THERE WERE TWO WOMEN, A MAN WHO WERE TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL IN CRITICAL CONDITION. WE BELIEVE THAT IS A PILOT, A NURSE AND A PARAMEDIC. AND SO THREE PEOPLE HAVE GONE TO THE HOSPITAL IN CRITICAL CONDITION. ALL RIGHT. WE WANT TO SHOW YOU A TRAFFIC MAP BECAUSE THIS IS STILL HAVING SUCH A MAJOR IMPACT ON TRAFFIC RIGHT NOW. YOU CAN SEE WESTBOUND TRAFFIC IS IS MOVING ALONG JUST FINE, BUT CARS ARE STILL STOPPED ON THE ON THE EASTBOUND LANES. AND ONE OF THE QUESTIONS THAT WE HAVE HAD IS HOW LONG THEY’RE GOING TO NEED TO KEEP THE WRECKAGE OUT THERE, BECAUSE A LOT OF TIMES THE AVIATION INVESTIGATORS NEED TO LOOK AT EXACTLY THE CRASH SITE AS IT HAPPENED TO KEEP ALL OF THAT EVIDENCE PRESERVED AS LONG AS POSSIBLE. WHEN YOU’RE TRYING TO NAVIGATE THAT, ALONG WITH THE IMPACT ON TRAFFIC, YOU KNOW, IT COULD BE REALLY DIFFICULT FOR THEM TO FIGURE OUT WHAT’S GOING TO TAKE PRIORITY. AND SO WE KNOW WE’VE HAD VEHICLES THAT HAVE BEEN JUST STUCK THERE ON HIGHWAY 50 FOR HOURS NOW AS THIS WE SAW THE CARS POINTED IN EVERY DIRECTION AS DRIVERS WERE TRYING TO GET OFF THE FREEWAY. SOME OF THEM TURNING AROUND IN THE LITTLE BIT OF SPACE THEY HAD DRIVING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION, JUST TRYING TO REACH AN AVAILABLE EXIT. WE KNOW EVEN FROM PEOPLE WHO CALLED OUR NEWSROOMS OR FRIENDS WHO HAVE BEEN TEXTING US, IT TOOK SOME OF THEM HOURS TO BE ABLE TO FIND THEIR WAY THROUGH ALL OF THIS TRAFFIC. AND LET’S SHOW YOU SOME VIDEO. WE HAVE HERE. PAULA CLEMENT SENT THIS TO US WHERE YOU COULD SEE THE TRAFFIC RIGHT THERE, AND YOU COULD SEE SMOKE THAT APPEARS TO BE COMING FROM THE SCENE. BUT YOU AND I WERE TALKING ABOUT THIS WITH OUR EXCLUSIVE PICTURES FROM LIVECOPTER3. IT DOES NOT APPEAR THAT THIS HELICOPTER CAUGHT FIRE AT ALL. AND WHAT I’VE BEEN ABLE TO DIG UP ABOUT THESE PARTICULAR CHOPPERS. IT’S AN H 130, BUT THEY HAVE. A CRASH RESISTANT FUEL SYSTEMS ON THEM, AND THEY ARE DESIGNED TO PREVENT POST-CRASH FIRES BY CONTAINING ANY FUEL. AND IT WAS SOMETHING THAT THE NTSB ACTUALLY RECOMMENDED IN 2016, BECAUSE A YEAR EARLIER THERE WERE TWO CRASHES WHERE THEY SAY THE VICTIMS SURVIVED THE CRASH, BUT THEY ENDED UP BURNING. SO THE NTSB MADE A RECOMMENDATION IN 2016 FOR THESE CHOPPERS TO GET THESE PARTICULAR SYSTEMS ON BOARD. AND WHAT YOU’RE SEEING RIGHT HERE, WE DON’T KNOW IF THAT SMOKE OR IF THAT IS THIS FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM THAT KEPT THIS HELICOPTER FROM CATCHING FIRE. WE CERTAINLY SAW IN SOME OF THE VIDEOS THAT HAVE BEEN POSTED FROM THE SCENE WHAT LOOKS LIKE THAT SUPPRESSION SYSTEM IS COMING UP IN WHITE VERSUS WHAT WOULD NORMALLY BE SEEN FROM A FIRE, WHICH WOULD BE BLACK SMOKE. AND WE HEARD FROM JUSTIN SYLVIA HOW GRATEFUL THEY WERE THAT THEY WEREN’T DEALING WITH A FIRE, BECAUSE IT IS, AS HE WAS SAYING, REALLY DIFFICULT FOR THEM TO GET WATER INTO A SITUATION LIKE THIS. AND WITH THE KIND OF FUEL THAT’S ON BOARD, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO DEAL WITH. IN ADDITION TO THE IMPACT ON THOSE VICTIMS. SO THIS IS A LOOK RIGHT NOW FROM LIVECOPTER3. AND YOU CAN SEE AGAIN, THE VERY SLOW, TEDIOUS OPERATION OF GETTING ALL OF THESE CARS REMOVED FROM THE EASTBOUND LANES OF HIGHWAY 50. AGAIN, NOT ABLE TO OPEN UP OFTEN, YOU KNOW, IN AN ACCIDENT SITE YOU CAN OPEN UP ONE LANE, MAYBE TWO, AS THEY MOVE THE DEBRIS OVER. IN THIS CASE, THEY CAN’T DO THAT. AND SO THEY’RE JUST CARS ARE JUST CRAWLING OFF. OKAY. SO WE HAVE OUR REPORTERS AT THE SCENE AND LET’S GET TO KCRA 3’S CATALINA ESTRADA WITH WHAT SHE’S SEEING. YEAH. CURTIS, WE JUST MADE IT HERE ON SCENE. I REALLY JUST WANT TO GIVE YOU A LIVE LOOK AT WHAT’S HAPPENING. WE’RE RIGHT NEXT TO HIGHWAY 50, AND YOU CAN SEE HERE THE DEBRIS ON THE FREEWAY. YOU CAN SEE THAT HELICOPTER THAT CRASH IN BETWEEN THE TAIL AND THE FRONT PART OF IT. AND THERE’S A LOT OF DEBRIS JUST AROUND THIS AREA. AND YOU CAN ALSO SEE CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL’S HERE WORKING TO CLEAR THE AREA. THEY’RE ACTUALLY STARTING TO LET PEOPLE THROUGH. YOU CAN SEE SOME CARS DRIVING ALONGSIDE THAT BORDER SIDE OF THE FREEWAY. RIGHT NOW. THEY’RE STARTING TO LET THESE PEOPLE GO BECAUSE THEY’VE BEEN STUCK HERE FOR HOURS. YOU CAN SEE RIGHT BEHIND US HERE. THESE VEHICLES ARE AT A COMPLETE STOP. THEY HAVEN’T BEEN ABLE TO MOVE AS CREWS RESPONDED TO THIS CRASH. THAT HAPPENED A COUPLE HOURS AGO. YOU CAN SEE SOME OF THOSE VEHICLES RIGHT NOW STARTING TO DRIVE ALONG THE FREEWAY HERE ON HIGHWAY 50. I CAN COUNT ON THIS SIDE AT LEAST THREE CHP VEHICLES. THERE’S ALSO CHP MOTORCYCLE OFFICERS ON HERE. AND ON THE OTHER SIDE YOU CAN SEE THE BIG LIGHTS OF ALSO MORE LAW ENFORCEMENT OVER ON THE OTHER SIDE. SO IT’S A REALLY BIG AND ACTIVE SCENE HERE. REALLY IMPRESSIVE. JUST TO SEE THE DAMAGE OF THIS HELICOPTER CRASH ALONG THE SIDE HERE WHERE WE’RE AT, THERE’S A COUPLE PEOPLE THAT YOU KNOW ARE ALSO WHO LIVE RIGHT HERE NEARBY AND ARE SEEING ALL OF THIS UNFOLD. IT’S IMPORTANT TO MENTION WE ARE IN A SAFE AREA. WE’RE NOT IN DANGER HERE WHERE WE’RE STANDING, BUT YOU CAN COMPLETELY SEE, YOU KNOW, THE DESTRUCTION LEFT BY THIS CRASH OVER ON THIS SIDE. AND THE POLICE OFFICERS REALLY AT WORK TRYING TO, YOU KNOW, LET PEOPLE THROUGH AND ALSO PICK UP THIS DEBRIS THAT’S LEFT HERE AS THEY CONTINUE TO RESPOND TO THIS. RIGHT NOW, YOU CAN SEE THOSE VEHICLES STARTING TO DRIVE AWAY. SO WE MIGHT SEE THAT TRAFFIC CLEAR UP HERE PRETTY SOON. FAMILIES ARE STARTING TO GET BACK IN THEIR VEHICLES AND DRIVE AWAY. SO VERY ACTIVE SCENE THAT WE’RE SEEING OUT HERE. OF COURSE THIS IS JUST DEVELOPING. THIS IS JUST UNFOLDING. SO A LOT OF THINGS MORE INFORMATION WILL PROBABLY BE GETTING IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF MINUTES. OF COURSE WE’RE GOING TO STAY ON TOP OF THAT. ALSO TALKING TO PEOPLE OUT HERE TO SEE WHAT THEY SAW. AND WE’LL MAKE SURE TO BRING THAT TO YOU AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. LIVE IN SACRAMENTO CAROLINA ESTRADA KCRA THREE NEWS. BACK TO YOU GUYS. CAROLINA, WILL WE HAVE YOU? JUST A QUICK QUESTION ABOUT WHERE THEY’RE GETTING THE TRAFFIC OFF THE FREEWAY. I KNOW THIS IS ALL RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THAT FIX 50 CONSTRUCTION ZONE. IS IT ONE OF THOSE SORT OF SEPARATED LANES? YOU KNOW, THEY’VE BEEN SHIFTING THE LANES AND MOVING TRAFFIC AROUND. ARE THEY ABLE TO ACCESS ONE OF THOSE NOW TO GET THE CARS OFF? EDIE THAT’S EXACTLY WHAT’S HAPPENING. I CAN ACTUALLY SHOW YOU HERE. WE’RE GOING TO SEE ONE OF THOSE COUNTY VEHICLES OVER ON THIS SIDE. IF OUR PHOTOJOURNALIST ALAN HELPS ME SHOW, YOU CAN SEE THAT WHITE VAN THAT YOU’RE GOING TO SEE HERE, THAT’S ACTUALLY A COUNTY VEHICLE. WE’RE GOING TO SEE IT DRIVE ON TO ONE OF THOSE AREAS WHERE THEY HAVE BEEN SHIFTING THE LANES HERE ON THE FIXED 50 PROJECT ON HIGHWAY 50, YOU CAN SEE THOSE VEHICLES AND THOSE OFFICERS DIRECTING THEM WITH LIGHTS OVER TO THAT AREA. AND THAT WAY THEY CAN GO AROUND WHERE THIS HELICOPTER CRASH AND GET OVER TO THE OTHER SIDE. SO THAT’S EXACTLY WHAT THEY’RE DOING. THEY MOVED UP THE THOSE SHOULDERS AND THEY’RE LETTING PEOPLE OFF OF THE FREEWAY. SO WE’RE GOING TO START SEEING ALL OF THIS CLEAR UP HERE VERY SOON. THEY’RE DOING IT ONE BY ONE VERY SLOWLY, OBVIOUSLY MAKING SURE THAT EVERYONE IS ABLE TO TO GET OFF THIS AREA PRETTY SAFELY, SAFELY. BUT THAT’S EXACTLY WHAT’S HAPPENING. YEAH. SUCH AN INTERESTING APPROACH. THEY’RE ABLE TO PRESERVE THE CRASH SITE AND STILL CREATE THAT SPACE FOR PEOPLE TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY. CAROLINA, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT VANTAGE POINT. ALL RIGHT. SO TO RECAP INFORMATION WE LEARNED JUST A FEW MINUTES AGO. AND IT’S INCREDIBLE INFORMATION THAT THREE PEOPLE HAVE SURVIVED THIS CRASH. THEY ARE IN CRITICAL CONDITION. AND ONE PERSON WAS ACTUALLY TRAPPED UNDERNEATH THE HELICOPTER. AND BYSTANDERS CAME IN AND HELPED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT LIFT THAT HELICOPTER UP OFF OF THAT VICTIM AND GET THAT PERSON OUT. AND SO WE KNOW THAT THREE PEOPLE ON BOARD ARE IN CRITICAL CONDITION, AND ALL OF THEM ARE IN THE HOSPITAL RIGHT NOW. AGAIN, THOUGH, THE IMPACT ON TRAFFIC CONTINUES. THE WRECKAGE WILL BE OUT THERE FOR QUITE SOME TIME. SO WE WILL CONTINUE TO POST UPDATES ON OUR APP, WHICH IS THE KCRA APP, AND ON OUR WEBSITE, KCRA.COM, AND WE’LL HAVE MUCH MORE FOR YOU ON OUR NEWSCAST LATER TONIGHT AT 10:00 ON MY58 AND 11 HE

    Helicopter crash critically injures 3, shuts down highway in California

    Updated: 12:40 AM EDT Oct 7, 2025

    Editorial Standards ⓘ

    Crews are responding to a medical helicopter crash on Highway 50 in Sacramento on Monday night, according to the California Highway Patrol. CHP traffic logs indicate the crash was reported just after 7 p.m. on eastbound Highway 50 just east of 59th Street in California’s capital city. Watch aerial video from Hearst sister station KCRA below:The Sacramento Fire Department said three people were in critical condition following the crash. There was no patient on board, the fire department said, but there was a pilot, nurse and paramedic on board.Sacramento fire said one person was trapped under the helicopter after the crash. A group of around 15 bystanders rushed in to help first responders lift the helicopter off the trapped person, officials said. Caltrans traffic cameras show a large amount of backups on Highway 50 due to the crash. The eastbound side of the highway is expected to be shut down for some time, and some lanes of westbound Highway 50 could be affected.Other photos from drivers showed a small plume of smoke rising from the area where the crash occurred, but Sacramento Fire said no fire sparked from the crash.Sacramento Councilmember Lisa Kaplan shared a photo of the crash, showing long traffic backups in the area.This story will be updated.

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. —

    Crews are responding to a medical helicopter crash on Highway 50 in Sacramento on Monday night, according to the California Highway Patrol.

    CHP traffic logs indicate the crash was reported just after 7 p.m. on eastbound Highway 50 just east of 59th Street in California’s capital city.

    Watch aerial video from Hearst sister station KCRA below:

    This content is imported from YouTube.
    You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

    The Sacramento Fire Department said three people were in critical condition following the crash. There was no patient on board, the fire department said, but there was a pilot, nurse and paramedic on board.

    Sacramento fire said one person was trapped under the helicopter after the crash. A group of around 15 bystanders rushed in to help first responders lift the helicopter off the trapped person, officials said.

    Caltrans traffic cameras show a large amount of backups on Highway 50 due to the crash. The eastbound side of the highway is expected to be shut down for some time, and some lanes of westbound Highway 50 could be affected.

    helicopter crash highway 50

    Other photos from drivers showed a small plume of smoke rising from the area where the crash occurred, but Sacramento Fire said no fire sparked from the crash.

    Sacramento Councilmember Lisa Kaplan shared a photo of the crash, showing long traffic backups in the area.

    helicopter crash highway 50

    This story will be updated.

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  • Army Says 4 Soldiers Died In A Helicopter Crash In Washington State This Week – KXL

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    In this photo provided by the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office, law enforcement personnel respond to a Wednesday evening, Sept. 17, 2025, helicopter crash near Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington state. (Thurston County Sheriff’s Office via AP)

    SEATTLE (AP) — Four U.S. Army soldiers who were part of an elite team that does nighttime missions died when the MH-60 Black Hawk helicopter they were aboard crashed earlier this week near a military base in Washington state, Army officials said Friday.

    The helicopter was on a routine training mission west of the base when it crashed at about 9 p.m. Wednesday, the U.S. Army Special Operations Command said. The soldiers were part of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, Airborne, officials said.

    Army officials said recovery efforts are underway, and the cause of the crash remains under investigation. They said they would release the soldiers’ names “when appropriate,” out of respect for the families.

    “Our hearts are with the families, friends, and teammates of these Night Stalkers,” said Lt. Gen. Jonathan Braga, USASOC Commander. “They were elite warriors who embodied the highest values of the Army and the Army Special Operations, and their sacrifice will never be forgotten.”

    The regiment’s mission is to organize, equip and employ Army special operations aviation forces around the world, according to the Army’s website.

    “Known as Night Stalkers, these soldiers are recognized for their proficiency in nighttime operations,” the website said. “They are highly trained and ready to accomplish the very toughest missions in all environments, anywhere in the world, day or night, with unparalleled precision.”

    Law enforcement, firefighters and specialty personnel from the joint base are conducting recovery efforts at the site of the crash, Braga said.

    “We thank the skilled professionals who are working tirelessly, around the clock to bring our soldiers home,” Braga said.

    The crash sparked a small wildfire that had grown to 1.25 acres (0.5 hectares) by Friday morning, the Washington Department of Natural Resources said. The agency said there was “pretty minimal fire activity” so they had one engine on the scene.

    The base is about 10 miles (16 kilometers) south of Tacoma under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Army Joint Base Headquarters.

    In March 2024, two soldiers from that base were hospitalized when their Apache helicopter crashed at the base during a routine training exercise.

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  • Helicopter Crashes Near Joint Base Lewis-McChord In Washington State – KXL

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    The main flag pole in front of the U.S. Army I Corps headquarters on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, south of Tacoma, Wash., hangs at half-staff, Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)

    TACOMA, Wash. (AP) — Four service members were aboard a U.S. Army MH-60 Black Hawk helicopter that crashed near Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington state, the Army said in a release Thursday. The Army did not release their conditions.

    The helicopter was on a routine training mission when it crashed at about 9 p.m. Wednesday, an Army official said in a statement. The soldiers were part of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, Airborne, officials said. The cause of the crash was under investigation, the Army said.

    “This remains an active, ongoing situation,” the release said.

    The crash sparked a small wildfire that had grown to 1 acre (0.4 hectares) by Thursday morning, the Washington Department of Natural Resources said.

    This is “currently a search mission” involving the “most professional and skilled addressing the situation,” Army spokesperson Ruth Castro told The Associated Press in an email. They were fully cooperating with law enforcement, she said. No details were released about the helicopter.

    The base is about 10 miles (16 kilometers) south of Tacoma under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Army Joint Base Headquarters.

    The Thurston County sheriff’s office, based in Olympia, posted online late Wednesday that deputies were dispatched to reports of a possible helicopter crash in the Summit Lake area, west of Olympia.

    “We have been advised that the military lost contact with a helicopter in the area,” the department said. It said it was working with the base and that no further details were available.

    Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders said on Facebook that deputies located the crash site, “but have been unable to continue rescue efforts as the scene is on fire.”

    The King County Guardian 1 helicopter and special operation rescue units responded to the crash site, the sheriff said.

    Staff with the state natural resources were working with multiple agencies, including the military and the local fire protection district, to battle the fire started by the crash, said Thomas Kyle-Milward, DNR wildfire communications manager.

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    Jordan Vawter

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  • Uber plans to let customers book helicopter rides through its app

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    Uber is taking its ride-sharing service to the skies.

    The San Francisco-based company said Wednesday that it will team with Joby Aviation, a maker of electric air taxis, to bring helicopter services to its platform as soon as next year. The announcement comes just over a month after Joby acquired Blade Air Mobility, which flies passengers by helicopter and seaplanes, in a $125 million deal. 

    In a news release, Uber and Joby said that once the service is integrated, passengers will be able to book flights directly in the Uber app in the “most populated cities in the world.” 

    Uber and Joby did not immediately respond to a request for information on how much the helicopter flights would cost or where the new service would be deployed. 

    Blade’s website shows that it offers flights between Manhattan and John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York or Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey for $195. Last year, Blade flew 50,000 passengers in the New York metropolitan area and Southern Europe, according to the companies.

    “Integrating Blade into the Uber app is the natural next step in our global partnership with Uber and will lay the foundation for the introduction of our quiet, zero-emissions aircraft in the years ahead,” JoeBen Bevirt, founder and CEO of Joby, in a statement. 

    Uber and Joby’s business relationship dates back to 2019, when Joby acquired Uber’s Elevate division, which is building an aerial ride-sharing service using what’s known as electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicles.

    Mary Cunningham

    Mary Cunningham is a reporter for CBS MoneyWatch. Before joining the business and finance vertical, she worked at “60 Minutes,” CBSNews.com and CBS News 24/7 as part of the CBS News Associate Program.

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  • Downed helicopter in Lakeville, police responding

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    Headlines for Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025



    Headlines for Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025

    00:47

    Police in Lakeville, Minnesota say they are responding to a down helicopter near Airlake Airport. 

    In a social media post, police said officers located the helicopter near Highway Ave and 219th Street West just before 3 p.m. Saturday. 

    Emergency personnel are still on scene, per police. This is still an active incident. 

    This is a developing story, WCCO will continue to update the story as more information becomes available. 

    Chloe Rosen

    Chloe is a digital producer at CBS Minnesota in Minneapolis and has worked in numerous positions at the station, including Assignment Editor, Digital Line Producer and Web Producer. She started her career at CBS Minnesota in 2015.

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    Chloe Rosen

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  • A rescue in Voyaguers National Park put a new State Patrol helicopter to the test

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    A Minnesota State Patrol helicopter, unveiled just last month, is being put to the test.

    New video shows the Minnesota Air Rescue Team (MART) responding to a call for help from a remote campsite in Voyaguers National Park along the Canadian border on August 11th. The three man team, made up of two members of the Saint Paul Fire Department and a pilot from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, hoisted a woman experiencing a medical emergency to safety. 

    “It was kind of like the capstone to all the training we’ve been doing over the last several months,” said Robert Gregor, a rescue specialist with MART.

    Gregor has spent a decade with MART. In the video, he’s lowered down toward the woman on a cable. 

    “The efficiency that we get with the new hoist capabilities that we have on the team, it’s almost immeasurable,” Gregor said.

    The Minnesota Department of Public safety describes the technology as ‘a side-mounted hoist system that lets rescue crews lift people directly into the cabin’.

    The crew says this new capability has changed the way they approach rescues. 

    “In rescues past years, we would have had to go find a landing zone suitable to put the helicopter on the ground and do some further rigging of our rescue equipment,” said Jeremy Barta, a systems operater who was inside the chopper during the rescue. “Especially in areas like the Boundary Waters, Voyageurs National Forest and a lot of rural Northern Minnesota, that’s very difficult to find suitable landing zones.”

    Barta says now, the team doesn’t need to stop, land and prepare. Instead, the crew can move right into hoisting the person in need once they arrive. 

    “When seconds matter, we saved minutes,” said Gregor. 

    Back in July, the helicopter made its first rescue, flying to LeSueur County. The Department of Public Safety says a vulnerable man was lost in a cornfield.

    The Minnesota Legislature approved over 14 million dollars in funding for the helicopter back in 2023. 

    WCCO Staff

    The WCCO Staff is a group of experienced journalists who bring you the content on WCCO.com.

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  • A rescue in Voyageurs National Park put a new State Patrol helicopter to the test

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    A Minnesota State Patrol helicopter, unveiled just last month, is being put to the test.

    New video shows the Minnesota Air Rescue Team (MART) responding to a call for help from a remote campsite in Voyageurs National Park along the Canadian border on August 11th. The three-man team, made up of two members of the Saint Paul Fire Department and a pilot from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, hoisted a woman experiencing a medical emergency to safety. 

    “It was kind of like the capstone to all the training we’ve been doing over the last several months,” said Robert Gregor, a rescue specialist with MART.

    Gregor has spent a decade with MART. In the video, he’s lowered down toward the woman on a cable. 

    “The efficiency that we get with the new hoist capabilities that we have on the team, it’s almost immeasurable,” Gregor said.

    The Minnesota Department of Public Safety describes the technology as ‘a side-mounted hoist system that lets rescue crews lift people directly into the cabin’.

    The crew says this new capability has changed the way they approach rescues. 

    “In rescues past years, we would have had to go find a landing zone suitable to put the helicopter on the ground and do some further rigging of our rescue equipment,” said Jeremy Barta, a systems operator who was inside the chopper during the rescue. “Especially in areas like the Boundary Waters, Voyageurs National Forest and a lot of rural Northern Minnesota, that’s very difficult to find suitable landing zones.”

    Barta says now, the team doesn’t need to stop, land and prepare. Instead, the crew can move right into hoisting the person in need once they arrive. 

    “When seconds matter, we saved minutes,” said Gregor. 

    Back in July, the helicopter made its first rescue, flying to LeSueur County. The Department of Public Safety says a vulnerable man was lost in a cornfield.

    The Minnesota Legislature approved over 14 million dollars in funding for the helicopter back in 2023. 

    WCCO Staff

    The WCCO Staff is a group of experienced journalists who bring you the content on WCCO.com.

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  • Inside the windowless shipping container where analysts hunt migrants by drone

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    FT. HUACHUCA, Ariz. — Inside a windowless and dark shipping container turned into a high-tech surveillance command center, two analysts peered at their own set of six screens that showed data coming in from an MQ-9 Predator B drone.

    Both were looking for two adults and a child who had crossed the U.S.-Mexico border and had fled when a Border Patrol agent approached in a truck.

    Inside the drone hangar on the other side of the Ft. Huachuca base sat another former shipping container, this one occupied by a drone pilot and a camera operator, who pivoted the drone’s camera to scan 9 square miles of shrubs and saguaros for the migrants. Like the command center, the onetime shipping container was lit mostly by the glow of the computer screens.

    The hunt for the three migrants embodied how advanced technology has become a vital part of the Trump administration’s efforts to secure the border.

    The Department of Homeland Security allocated 12,000 hours of MQ-9 drone flight time this year at the Ft. Huachuca base, and says the flights cost $3,800 per hour, though an inspector general report in 2015 said the amount is closer to $13,000 when factoring in personnel salaries and operational costs. Maintenance issues and bad weather often mean the drones fly around half the allotted hours, officials said.

    With the precipitous drop in migrant crossings at the southern U.S. border, the drones are now tasked with fewer missions. That means they have the time to track small groups or even individual border jumpers trekking north through the desert.

    This type of drone, first used in warfare, was operated by the National Air Security Operations division of Customs and Border Protection at the Army base about 70 miles south of Tucson. A reporter was allowed to observe the operation in April on the condition that personnel not be named and that no photographs be taken.

    An air interdiction agent, left, programs an unmanned Predator aircraft from a flight operations center near the Mexican border at Fort Huachuca in Sierra Vista, Ariz., in March 2013.

    (John Moore / Getty Images)

    The drone flying this day was mounted with a radar, called Vehicle and Dismount Exploitation Radar, or VaDER, that could identify any moving object in the drone’s sight, and pinpoint them with color-coded dots for the two analysts in the first container. The program had already located three Border Patrol agents, one on foot and two on motorcycles, searching for the migrants. The analysts had also identified three cows and two horses, headed toward Mexico.

    Then, one of the analysts spotted something.

    “We got them,” he said to his colleague, who had been scanning the terrain. “Good work.”

    The analyst dropped a pin on the migrants and the VaDER program began tracking their movement in a blue trail. Now, he had to guide agents on the ground to them.

    “We’ve got an adult male and a child, I think, tucked in this bush,” the analyst radioed to his team, as he toggled between the live video to an infrared camera view that showed the heat signature of every living thing in range. The analyst saw his Border Patrol colleagues approaching on motorcycles.

    The roar of the oncoming machines scared up a bird, the tracking program showed. The migrants began running.

    “OK, it looks like they’re starting,” the camera operator said into the radio to the Border Patrol agents. “They’re hearing the bikes. They hear you guys.” The camera operator and the other personnel spoke in the professional, matter-of-fact tone of 911 operators.

    One adult and the child began scrambling up a hill. “They’re moving north and west, mainly,” the camera operator said. “Starting to pick up the pace going uphill.”

    The agents rushed in on the pair and detained them. It was a mother and her child. The drone team turned its attention to the third person, who was stumbling through the brush and making a beeline for the Mexican border.

    “If you cut due south from your current location,” the drone pilot said to the camera operator. “You should pick up some sign.”

    The camera operator, as directed, panned across the desert, scanning farther and farther south.

    “I’ve got them,” he said when he spotted someone running. He radioed the coordinates to the Border Patrol team.

    By now, the man, carrying a backpack, had scaled a hill.

    “He’s on the ridgeline right now, working his way up due south, slowly,” the camera operator radioed.

    Then the man dropped something.

    “Hey, mark that spot,” the camera operator said. “He just threw a pack, right here where my crosshairs are at. ”

    Agents would go back later and see if the backpack contained drugs, an analyst said. “Usually, if it’s food or water, they’re not going to do that,” he said.

    On this spring morning, the drone wasn’t the only airborne asset deployed. A helicopter had joined the chase to catch the southbound man, who stumbled, got up and kept running.

    “He took a pretty good spill there,” an analyst said into the radio.

    “We have a helo inbound, three point five minutes out,” the camera operator said.

    A helicopter came into the drone’s view. It swooped in, circling the location of the man, who was by now hiding under a bush.

    “You just passed over him,” the camera operator radioed the helicopter pilot. “He’s between you and that saguaro.”

    With a keystroke, he switched to infrared vision to find the man’s heat profile through the brush to make sure he still had him.

    Guided by the camera operator, the pilot landed the helicopter in a cloud of dust near the cowering target. The video feed showed agents jump out of the aircraft, detain the man and load him into the helicopter. The chopper lifted off and tilted back north toward a nearby Border Patrol post. “Thanks, sir, appreciate all the help,” the analyst said to the helicopter pilot.

    Mission accomplished, the drone pilot turned the MQ-9 back along the U.S.-Mexico border, scanning the vast desert in search of more migrants. The military is planning to deliver a third MQ-9 drone to the base this fall after spending a year retrofitting it for civilian authority use.

    Fisher is a special correspondent. This article was co-published with Puente News Collaborative, a bilingual nonprofit newsroom, convener and funder dedicated to high-quality, fact-based news and information from the U.S.-Mexico border.

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    Steve Fisher

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  • A helicopter halts traffic on the 110 Freeway in South Los Angeles

    A helicopter halts traffic on the 110 Freeway in South Los Angeles

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    A helicopter made an emergency landing on the 110 Freeway in South Los Angeles on Thursday night, bringing southbound traffic to a halt for hours.

    The California Highway Patrol received a report at 8:25 p.m. from the craft’s pilot, who said he was forced down by a loss of power, CHP Officer Sean Lough told The Times.

    Besides the pilot, two passengers were aboard the private helicopter. No injuries were reported.

    All southbound lanes were closed from Century Boulevard to the 105 Freeway, Lough said.

    The CHP was coordinating with the pilot and two heavy-duty tow trucks to remove the aircraft. Lough said the lanes were expected to reopen shortly before 11 p.m.

    KCAL-TV reported that Flight Tracker showed that the flight originated at Hawthorne Municipal Airport about 7:34 p.m.

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    Doug Smith

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  • Willie Brown wasn’t on that frightening helicopter ride with Trump. Here’s who was

    Willie Brown wasn’t on that frightening helicopter ride with Trump. Here’s who was

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    Ever since Donald Trump said Thursday that Willie Brown had bashed Vice President Kamala Harris years ago during a scary helicopter ride together, the former president has insisted that the story is true. This despite the fact that Brown, the former California Speaker, said he had never done business with Trump, let alone been on a flight with him.

    But it turns out that another California official had.

    In an interview Saturday, Nate Holden, the former longtime Los Angeles city councilman and state senator, recalled vividly what happened one day in 1990 when he had been invited by Trump to fly from Manhattan to Atlantic City on his chopper.

    It was midday, Holden said, and he had just been served a drink when all of a sudden the hydraulic system failed, forcing the pilot to make an emergency landing in New Jersey.

    On Thursday, Trump said in impromptu remarks to the press that he and Brown “were in a helicopter going to a certain location together, and there was an emergency landing.” Trump said: “This was not a pleasant landing, and Willie, he was — he was a little concerned. So I know him pretty well. I mean, I haven’t seen him in years. But he told me terrible things about [Harris].”

    Holden, 95, was incredulous that Trump could confuse the two men — “the short Black guy from Northern California and the tall Black guy from Southern California. But as they say, we all look the same,” he said with a laugh.

    The Trump campaign hasn’t commented about what seems at best a mistaken identity, and worse, a fabricated story meant to discredit Harris, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee.

    After Brown denied that he had never gotten on a helicopter with Trump, the national and international media have been all over the story. And Trump has not only stuck by his statements but posted on social media that he had evidence in “logs, maintenance records, and witnesses” to back up his account.

    But another person on that helicopter ride was Barbara Res, once a top executive in charge of construction and development at the Trump Organization. In her 2013 book, “All Alone on the 68th Floor,” Res essentially corroborates Holden’s account of what happened.

    “As we pulled out over the Hudson, the helicopter began to shake,” she wrote. “Very shortly thereafter the pilot let us know he had lost some instruments and we would need to make an emergency landing. By now, the helicopter was shaking like crazy. Donald loves to tell the story that Nate, an African American, turned white, but as I recall Donald was pretty white himself.”

    Holden said Saturday that he called Brown shortly after seeing Trump’s comments about the helicopter incident on television. “I just thought Donald Trump’s got a problem. He had almost two fatal accidents, one with Willie Brown and one with me,” Holden said. So he asked Brown: “Willie, were you in a helicopter with Trump which almost crashed?”

    Holden was in the copter with Trump to discuss the Manhattan developer’s desire to build on the site of the historic Ambassador Hotel on Wilshire Boulevard in the Los Angeles Mid-Wilshire District. Holden represented the district at the time.

    Trump “wanted to meet with Nate because Nate was very, very influential,” Res said in an interview, noting that she brought Holden to New York. “And when we were going for the meeting, Donald said, ‘I can’t, I have to go to Atlantic City. Let’s have our meeting on the helicopter.” (Trump’s project on that Wilshire site got entangled in litigation and never came together.)

    Holden said that he knew Trump was trying to impress him. On board, Holden recalled, “Trump said, ‘Look at the skyline. It’s the best in the world.’ ”

    But Holden wasn’t impressed, and said he was livid when the aircraft had mechanical problems. “I couldn’t believe they didn’t maintain their helicopter. I was raising hell because they put my life in jeopardy.” Only a year earlier, in 1989, three executives of Trump’s casinos were killed, along with two others when a chopper crashed over Fork River in New Jersey.

    As for Trump, Holden said, “He was speechless. He turned white as snow, glued to his seat.”

    “There was no hint of any real danger that I perceived,” Res said. “Trump was terrified. He was scared s—less,” Res said. “He just lost three executives on the flight that he said he was scheduled to be on, which of course he was never scheduled to be on that flight. But, you know, why not make use of three dead good employees.”

    In a similar way, both Res and Holden said Trump told his own version of what happened on the helicopter with Holden.

    “Trump knew Willie Brown was the speaker of the Assembly and Nate Holden was a councilman, and so he wanted to make it more important,” Res said. “Also, he wanted to include a comment about Harris and I don’t think you could make a connection between Harris and Holden.”

    Said Holden: “It makes the story more juicy.”

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    Don Lee

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  • 5 people killed in helicopter crash in mountains northwest of Nepal’s capital

    5 people killed in helicopter crash in mountains northwest of Nepal’s capital

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    All five people on board a helicopter were killed when it crashed Wednesday in the mountains just northwest of Nepal’s capital, authorities said.The bodies of four men and a woman were pulled from the wreckage, said Krishna Prasad Humagai, the government administrator of Nuwakot district.Police and army rescuers reached the area and two rescue helicopters were also sent to assist in the operation, the official said.The crash site is in the Suryachaur area, which is just northwest of Kathmandu, and is on a mountain covered by forest.The helicopter had taken off from Kathmandu international airport at 1:54 p.m. local time and was heading towards the town of Syaprubeshi.The helicopter, an Eurocopter AS350 belonging to Nepal-based Air Dynasty, had lost contact with the tower just three minutes after takeoff, according to a statement from the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal.The four passengers are Chinese nationals, and the pilot is a Nepali man, officials said.The crash came two weeks after a passenger plane crashed just after taking off from the Kathmandu airport, killing 18 people and injuring a pilot, who was the lone survivor.All the people onboard the Saurya Airlines flight, including the co-pilot, were Nepali except for one passenger, who was a Yemeni national.A government investigation has been ordered into the crash of the Bombardier CRJ 200 plane, which was heading to Nepal’s second-most populous city of Pokhara for maintenance work. Most of the passengers aboard were either mechanics or airline employees, airport officials said.The pilot, who has injuries to his eyes, has returned home from a hospital.

    KATHMANDU, Nepal —

    All five people on board a helicopter were killed when it crashed Wednesday in the mountains just northwest of Nepal’s capital, authorities said.

    The bodies of four men and a woman were pulled from the wreckage, said Krishna Prasad Humagai, the government administrator of Nuwakot district.

    Police and army rescuers reached the area and two rescue helicopters were also sent to assist in the operation, the official said.

    The crash site is in the Suryachaur area, which is just northwest of Kathmandu, and is on a mountain covered by forest.

    The helicopter had taken off from Kathmandu international airport at 1:54 p.m. local time and was heading towards the town of Syaprubeshi.

    The helicopter, an Eurocopter AS350 belonging to Nepal-based Air Dynasty, had lost contact with the tower just three minutes after takeoff, according to a statement from the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal.

    The four passengers are Chinese nationals, and the pilot is a Nepali man, officials said.

    The crash came two weeks after a passenger plane crashed just after taking off from the Kathmandu airport, killing 18 people and injuring a pilot, who was the lone survivor.

    All the people onboard the Saurya Airlines flight, including the co-pilot, were Nepali except for one passenger, who was a Yemeni national.

    A government investigation has been ordered into the crash of the Bombardier CRJ 200 plane, which was heading to Nepal’s second-most populous city of Pokhara for maintenance work. Most of the passengers aboard were either mechanics or airline employees, airport officials said.

    The pilot, who has injuries to his eyes, has returned home from a hospital.

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  • Orchard finds unique solution to protecting cherries from rain: a helicopter

    Orchard finds unique solution to protecting cherries from rain: a helicopter

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    A Lodi, California, cherry orchard is working to protect its crop from the threat of rain. And the solution comes from the skies.Chinchiolo Farming Company at Lodi Blooms, which ships cherries across the U.S., called upon a helicopter to dry the cherries after Saturday’s soaking rain.”It’s less than ideal conditions for growing cherries,” said James Chinchiolo of Chinchiolo Farming Company. “What happens in the rain is cherries tend to absorb the water and crack. That’s something that ends up ruining these cherries.”Chinchiolo said the cherries are currently at a stage of growth that makes them pretty susceptible to cracking. As soon as the rain stopped on Saturday, a helicopter hovered over the crops to try and dry them off.Chinchiolo said they wanted to bring the helicopter in to, “minimize as much potential damage as possible.” See more in the video player above.

    A Lodi, California, cherry orchard is working to protect its crop from the threat of rain. And the solution comes from the skies.

    Chinchiolo Farming Company at Lodi Blooms, which ships cherries across the U.S., called upon a helicopter to dry the cherries after Saturday’s soaking rain.

    “It’s less than ideal conditions for growing cherries,” said James Chinchiolo of Chinchiolo Farming Company. “What happens in the rain is cherries tend to absorb the water and crack. That’s something that ends up ruining these cherries.”

    Chinchiolo said the cherries are currently at a stage of growth that makes them pretty susceptible to cracking.

    As soon as the rain stopped on Saturday, a helicopter hovered over the crops to try and dry them off.

    Chinchiolo said they wanted to bring the helicopter in to, “minimize as much potential damage as possible.”

    See more in the video player above.

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  • Probable cause revealed in WBTV helicopter crash that killed pilot and meteorologist

    Probable cause revealed in WBTV helicopter crash that killed pilot and meteorologist

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    Drone image from the scene of a helicopter crash on the side of Interstate 77 in Charlotte on Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022. Two people were killed in the crash, which involved a WBTV helicopter.

    Drone image from the scene of a helicopter crash on the side of Interstate 77 in Charlotte on Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022. Two people were killed in the crash, which involved a WBTV helicopter.


    Alex Slitz

    alslitz@charlotteobserver.com

    Inadequate inspections led to the helicopter crash that killed WBTV meteorologist Jason Myers and Sky3 pilot Chip Tayag, the National Transportation Safety Board concluded in a report Thursday.

    The crash happened just before noon on Nov. 22, 2022.

    The helicopter spun out of control and crashed in grass along Interstate 77 south near Tyvola Road in Charlotte.

    Report details the minutes before crash

    The purpose of the flight was to provide video training for Myers over a simulated news scene, according to the NTSB.

    “About 5 minutes into the flight, the pilot began a series of left, 360-degree orbits” over I-77, NTSB investigators said in the report. “During the third orbit, helicopter control was lost and the helicopter entered a steep descent.”

    The remains of a helicopter sit to the right side of I-77 south past the Tyvola Road exit on Tuesday, November 22, 2022. Two people were confirmed dead in the crash, which involved a WBTV helicopter.
    The remains of a helicopter sit to the right side of I-77 south past the Tyvola Road exit on Tuesday, November 22, 2022. Two people were confirmed dead in the crash, which involved a WBTV helicopter. Jeff Siner jsiner@charlotteobserver.com

    “The pilot made a radio call before impact stating that they were ‘going down,’” according to the NTSB report.

    NTSB inquiry reveals loose parts

    Parts that should have been connected on the main rotor may have been loose during multiple flights before the crash, NTSB investigators found.

    This NTSB photo shows the helicopter’s disconnected forward left control rod from the stationary swash plate.
    This NTSB photo shows the helicopter’s disconnected forward left control rod from the stationary swash plate. SCREEN SHOT OF NTSB PHOTO

    “An examination of the helicopter’s flight controls after the accident revealed the forward left control rod end that should have been connected to the stationary swashplate on the main rotor was disconnected,” according to the report.

    “And the connecting hardware was missing,” NTSB investigators said. “A metallurgical examination of the remaining components suggested that the connecting hardware, including a threaded bolt, nut, palnut, two washers and two hat-shaped spacers were loose and backed out during the flight.”

    Further examination of the parts showed one of the spacers was installed backwards, according to the report. That most likely happened during an overhaul of the helicopter about three years before the crash, NTSB investigators said.

    Parts involved in the crash were required to be inspected by the pilot during each pre-flight inspection and by maintenance workers at each 100-hour/annual inspection, according to the NTSB.

    The NTSB found the probable cause of the crash to be the “inadequate inspections of the forward left control rod end attachment hardware to the stationary swashplate by the pilot and by maintenance personnel, resulting in an eventual loosening and backing out of the hardware and subsequent loss of helicopter control.”

    Station management has not responded to media requests for comment about the NTSB report. WBTV included a link to the NTSB report in its article Thursday night about the findings.

    This story was originally published May 5, 2024, 8:59 AM.

    Related stories from Charlotte Observer

    Joe Marusak has been a reporter for The Charlotte Observer since 1989 covering the people, municipalities and major news events of the region, and was a news bureau editor for the paper. He currently reports on breaking news.
    Support my work with a digital subscription

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