# NTSB WPR26FA363: Eurocopter Deutschland EC 135 P2+, N313RX, Avalon, CA, October 1, 2026

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report
- Date: September 30, 2026, 19:46 local (Oct 1, 2026, 02:46 UTC)
- Place: Avalon, CA · On Water
- Coordinates: 33.339683, -118.30925 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3397&lon=-118.3093&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Enroute-climb to cruise: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal, 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Investigation ongoing
- Investigation class: Class 3
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: Airbus Helicopters North America, FAA, Reach
- NTSB case key (mKey): 203908
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR26FA363
- NTSB preliminary report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/203908/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26FA363

## Preliminary report

On September 30, 2026, about 1946 Pacific daylight time, a Eurocopter Deutschland GMBH EC-135 P2+, N313RX, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Avalon, California. The pilot, flight nurse, and patient were fatally injured; the flight paramedic was seriously injured, and the passenger sustained minor injuries. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 air medical flight. The helicopter departed Pebbly Beach Seaplane Base (L11), Avalon, California, with a planned destination of Torrance, California. A review of ADS-B data revealed that the helicopter climbed to a maximum altitude of about 90 ft mean sea level. Shortly thereafter, the helicopter entered a descent for several seconds before it impacted water. The last data point indicated the helicopter’s groundspeed was about 65 knots, and its descent rate was about 1,280 fpm. Witnesses near L11 reported that the helicopter lifted off from the seaplane base, entered a descent and then impacted water. The witnesses also noted that it was a dark, moonless night. A review of surveillance video revealed that a medical helicopter operated by another organization departed L11 about 45 seconds before the accident helicopter. The video showed that the helicopter lifted off from its helipad into a hover, turned and departed to the north. Approximately 13 seconds later the helicopter entered a descent, contacted the water twice, and then entered a climb. The accident helicopter then lifted off, climbed slightly and departed on a northerly heading. Several seconds later the helicopter entered a nose low attitude and subsequently impacted the water about 8 seconds later. The helicopter wreckage was located in the water, at a depth of about 209 ft, about 0.3 miles north of L11. The wreckage was recovered and retained for further examination.

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Enroute-climb to cruise: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) (defining event); cases with it: [Eurocopter Deutschland EC 135 P2+, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md?model=5620030), [All aircraft, 1,703 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N313RX](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N313RX), registered now, S/N 1097 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: EUROCOPTER DEUTSCHLAND GMBH EC 135 P2+
- Registry model: [Eurocopter Deutschland EC 135 P2+](https://openairdocs.org/model/eurocopter-deutschland-ec-135-p2-plus) (registry code 5620030) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1097
- Year built: 2013
- Airframe hours: 4996.7
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 135
- Operator: Reach Air Medical Services LLC
- Registered owner: Reach Air Medical Services LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: August 14, 2026
- Departed: L11, Avalon, CA
- Destination: Torrance, CA
- Airport: L11, Pebbly Beach Seaplane Base, runway Helipad H1, asphalt
- Equipment: Heads up display, Electronic primary flight display, Auto-pilot, ADS-B

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night
- Wind: 20° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.86 inHg
- Observed at: KAVX, 7 nm away
- METAR: METAR KAVX 010251Z AUTO 02006KT 10SM CLR 22/07 A2986 RMK AO2 SLP085 T02220072 53006 $

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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