A medical transport helicopter crash off Catalina Island has left three people dead and two others hospitalized, with authorities confirming that the final missing passenger, 45-year-old Catalina Hernandez, was found dead after an extensive search.
The REACH Air Medical Services helicopter crashed into the Pacific Ocean shortly after taking off from Catalina Island on Wednesday night, September 30, 2026.
Hernandez, a mother of three from Avalon, had been the patient being transported to the mainland for additional medical treatment.
Her body was recovered Thursday evening after search crews spent nearly a full day combing the waters off the island.
The National Transportation Safety Board is now investigating what caused the helicopter to go down.
What Happened
Emergency crews received reports of a helicopter crash off Catalina Island shortly before 8 p.m. Wednesday.
The aircraft had taken off from the island and was heading toward the mainland when it went down in the ocean near Pebbly Beach, close to Avalon.
Five people were aboard the medical helicopter.
Rescue teams quickly located four occupants.
The pilot and a nurse were pronounced dead.
A medic and another male passenger survived and were taken to Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center for treatment.
Catalina Hernandez remained missing following the initial rescue operation.
Authorities launched an extensive search involving the U.S. Coast Guard, Los Angeles County Fire Department, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and specialized dive teams.
Her body was located Thursday evening near the submerged wreckage.
Who Was Catalina Hernandez?
Catalina Hernandez was 45 years old and lived in Avalon on Catalina Island.
Family members described her as a mother of three who had lived in the United States for many years after moving from Mexico.
Hernandez worked as a housekeeper on the island and was part of the close-knit Avalon community.
She was being transported to a mainland hospital when the helicopter crashed.
Family members said Hernandez had suffered a serious allergic reaction after eating shrimp and required additional medical treatment that was not available on the island.
Her 20-year-old son accompanied her on the flight and was reportedly helping with translation.
He survived the crash but suffered injuries.
Final Missing Passenger Found
For nearly 24 hours after the crash, Hernandez remained unaccounted for.
Search teams covered a wide area of ocean as they attempted to locate both Hernandez and portions of the wreckage.
Divers eventually discovered the helicopter in deep water.
The wreckage was found more than 200 feet below the surface.
Hernandez’s body was later recovered from the crash area, bringing the active search operation to an end.
The Coast Guard announced that its search-and-rescue response had concluded following the recovery.
Three People Killed
The crash ultimately killed three people.
Hernandez was one of the victims.
The other fatalities included the helicopter’s pilot and a flight nurse.
One of the deceased crew members was later identified as 48-year-old Jessica Devries, a nurse working aboard the aircraft.
Authorities had not publicly released the pilot’s identity in the latest verified reports reviewed for this article.
Two other people survived.
They included a medical crew member and Hernandez’s son.
Both were transported to a hospital following the crash.
Jessica Devries Remembered
Jessica Devries, 48, was identified as the flight nurse who died in the crash.
She had worked in healthcare for more than two decades and was remembered as an experienced nurse dedicated to helping patients in difficult circumstances.
Her death has deeply affected colleagues within the air-medical community.
REACH Air Medical Services said the crash had a profound impact on its employees, clinical teams and support staff.
The company activated counseling and critical-incident support resources for workers and families affected by the tragedy.
What Authorities Have Said
Los Angeles County authorities confirmed that the helicopter went down shortly after leaving Catalina Island.
The aircraft was identified as an EC135 medical helicopter operated by REACH Air Medical Services.
Officials said the helicopter had arrived on Catalina Island from Oceanside before picking up Hernandez for transport to the mainland.
It crashed only minutes after taking off again.
Authorities located the aircraft underwater after the crash.
The helicopter came to rest at a depth of more than 200 feet, making the recovery process complex and dangerous.
The National Transportation Safety Board has taken the lead in investigating the cause.
What Is Known So Far
The helicopter crash occurred on Wednesday, September 30, 2026.
The aircraft went down shortly after departing Catalina Island.
Five people were aboard.
Three people died.
Two people survived and were hospitalized.
Catalina Hernandez, 45, was the patient being transported.
Her body was recovered Thursday after an extensive search.
Jessica Devries, 48, was identified as the flight nurse who died.
The pilot was also killed.
The helicopter was operated by REACH Air Medical Services.
The wreckage was located more than 200 feet underwater.
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating.
What Has Not Been Confirmed
Authorities have not determined what caused the helicopter to crash.
There has been no official finding of mechanical failure.
Weather has not been publicly established as the cause.
Pilot error has not been confirmed.
Investigators have not announced evidence of sabotage or criminal activity.
The identity of the deceased pilot had not been publicly confirmed in the latest reporting reviewed for this article.
Claims circulating online about the cause of the crash should therefore be treated cautiously.
Why the Crash Is Drawing Attention
The tragedy has drawn significant attention because the helicopter was carrying a patient seeking urgent medical care.
Catalina Island depends heavily on aircraft and boats for transportation to specialized mainland hospitals.
Air ambulances provide a crucial service when patients require treatment that cannot be delivered locally.
The crash also occurred close enough to shore that witnesses and first responders quickly became involved.
Reports from the area described people attempting to help immediately after the helicopter entered the water.
For residents of Avalon, the loss is particularly personal because Hernandez lived and worked in the island community.
Investigation Into the Helicopter Crash
The National Transportation Safety Board is expected to examine the helicopter’s wreckage, maintenance records, flight data and operational history.
Investigators may also review weather conditions, communications and the actions of the flight crew.
The aircraft will likely be recovered or examined underwater as investigators attempt to determine whether a mechanical or structural problem contributed to the crash.
Officials may also analyze the helicopter’s engines and flight-control systems.
Air-crash investigations can take months or longer before a final cause is determined.
Preliminary findings may become available earlier, but they should not be confused with a final NTSB conclusion.
REACH Air Medical Services Responds
REACH Air Medical Services has expressed condolences to the families and loved ones affected by the crash.
The company said its immediate priority was supporting employees, patients and families impacted by the tragedy.
REACH has also said it will cooperate with investigators.
The company has not publicly speculated about what caused the helicopter to crash.
That approach is important because aviation investigations require detailed examination before responsibility or technical failure can be established.
Community Mourns Catalina Hernandez
For Hernandez’s family, the accident transformed an emergency medical trip into an unimaginable loss.
She had boarded the helicopter seeking treatment.
Her son accompanied her and survived.
The search for Hernandez continued for hours after rescuers found the other occupants.
Her recovery Thursday brought certainty to her family, but it also confirmed the outcome they had feared.
The tragedy has resonated throughout Avalon, where the island’s relatively small population means major emergencies often have a widespread community impact.
What Happens Next
The NTSB will continue investigating the helicopter crash.
Officials are expected to examine the recovered wreckage and gather information from surviving passengers and witnesses.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner may release additional information about the deceased victims after required family notification procedures are complete.
REACH Air Medical Services may also release further information about its crew members.
Funeral and memorial arrangements for Hernandez and the other victims may be announced separately by their families.
Until the investigation is completed, the cause of the crash remains unknown.
Disclaimer
This article is based on verified public information available at the time of publication. Details surrounding the Catalina Island medical helicopter crash remain under investigation.
Authorities have not determined what caused the aircraft to go down. Claims involving mechanical failure, pilot actions, weather or other possible causes should not be treated as confirmed unless established by the National Transportation Safety Board or another appropriate authority.
Information concerning victims, survivors and memorial arrangements may change as families and officials release additional updates.