Helicopter Crashes Off Miami, Likely Killing 1 and Injuring 2

Q: Why did the Robinson R44 suddenly loop back near Nixon Beach moments before its fatal plunge into the water?

It is not yet known why the Robinson R44 looped back near Nixon Beach before crashing. What is established so far is limited. Flight-tracking data cited by local outlets indicated the helicopter appeared to turn back or “loop” in the Nixon Beach area moments before a sharp drop in altitude over Biscayne Bay. The FAA confirmed the aircraft was a Robinson R44 with three people on board, and officials said one person died while two others were taken to a trauma center. There is, however, no official finding yet that explains the maneuver. Investigators have not said whether the turn was caused by a mechanical problem, a pilot response to an emergency, weather, loss of power, navigational repositioning, or an attempted return to a safer area for an emergency landing or water ditching. Video from the scene showed the helicopter upside down in the water with yellow emergency floats deployed nearby, which may suggest the crew had at least some time to react, but that alone does not explain why it turned back. The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation with FAA assistance, and the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office is also investigating. Until investigators review wreckage, flight-path data, maintenance records, and any witness accounts, the reason for the sudden loop-back remains unresolved.

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Nov 4

A small helicopter went down in the water near Nixon Beach off Key Biscayne shortly after 11 a.m., with three people reported aboard.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue crews pulled two adult trauma patients from the water and sent them by ground units to a landing zone, where air rescue flew them to a main trauma center.
A third person was presumed dead at the scene, according to local reports, as aerial footage showed a yellow tarp near the wreckage.
Rescue boats and divers searched around the helicopter's yellow emergency floats off Crandon Boulevard, while authorities said the cause of the crash remains under investigation.