Dramatic video: Helicopter spirals out of control, crashes into palm trees at California beach; 5 injured

A helicopter that was coasting above a popular Southern California beach Saturday suddenly lost control and began spiralling 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.

NEW: Man nearly gets crushed by a helicopter that crashed in Huntington Beach, California. I was literally underneath the helicopter as it crashed. My life flashed before my eyes," the man posted.

The helicopter crashed next to the Pacific Coast Highway near the bridge crossing pic.twitter.com/C0SdIupTW5

— Gianna (@_cam1la_23) October 12, 2025

The Huntington Beach Fire Department said five people were hospitalised, 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.