HEARTSTOPPING footage shows an out-of-control helicopter crashing in front of stunned sunbathers and beachgoers.
The chopper suddenly lost control and began spiraling in midair, eventually losing altitude and slamming into a row of palms on a Southern California beach.
Footage shows the aircraft twirling clockwise above Huntington Beach, then plunging where wedged between palms and a staircase near Pacific Coast Highway.
Horrified beachgoers were heard shouting “oh no, oh my god” as the helicopter hurtled to the ground.
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 pedestrians were also injured, and all five were rushed to the hospital for treatment.
Details on their injuries were not immediately available.
City officials have told CBS News that the two people inside the chopper were safely pulled from the wreckage.
Early reports suggest the possibility of a tail-rotor malfunction, a catastrophic issue that could have caused an instant loss of control.
Authorities had to cordon off the site after the crash and began sweeping through the wreckage to investigate.
Pictures show the twisted frame of the helicopter lying wedged among toppled palms.
It has since emerged that the chopper was associated with an annual Cars ‘N Copters fundraising event planned for Sunday.
The owner was identified as Eric Nixon, a self-styled aviation enthusiast who regularly executes risky routes and posts them on Instagram.
In one recent post, Nixon can be seen flying a helicopter extremely low over a desert floor – barely 20 feet above ground level – with a truck speeding toward him from the opposite direction.
Another video shows the pilot performing an extremely low-level fly-by in an attack helicopter once used by the US Army.
One video posted to the social media profile of Cars ‘N Copters on Sept. 15 promoted the appearance of Nixon’s Bell 222SP, identified by its tail number N222E, which crashed on Saturday, lifting off near a crowd.
It is unclear if the self-styled aviation enthusiast was piloting the chopper when it crashedCredit: Instagram/nixon.helicopters “The Bell 222SP, which gained a ton of popularity from the 80s show Airwolf. Seeing one in person is rare. Excited to have it back! Thank you @nixon.helictopers,” the post read.
It is not clear whether Nixon was operating the Bell 222SP at the time of the accident.
The annual automotive and aircraft showcase was set to begin on October 12, according to its website . The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) were notified, city officials said..
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