Helicopter crashes into Biscayne Bay off Miami, killing one and injuring two during photo flight

A Robinson R44 II helicopter carrying three adult men crashed into Biscayne Bay near Miami, Florida, at about 11:15 a.m. on November 4, killing one person on board and seriously injuring the other two. The U.S. Coast Guard, the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) all responded, and the cause of the crash remains under investigation.

The rescue

According to the FAA, the helicopter went down in the water east of Miami Executive Airport, about two miles offshore near Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park on Key Biscayne. The Coast Guard said it responded at about 11:30 a.m. after a Good Samaritan issued a mayday call; U.S. Customs and Border Protection personnel pulled two people from the water. Aerial footage showed the helicopter overturned in the water, its yellow emergency flotation devices clearly visible.

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue said the two survivors, both adult men, were airlifted to the Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital in critical but stable condition; the third person was pronounced dead at the scene. Miami-Dade Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz said the occupants had been filming boats on the water. The identities of the three men had not been released at the time, while next-of-kin notification was under way.

Investigation under way

The NTSB has confirmed it is investigating, with the FAA and the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office also involved. According to FlightAware data, the helicopter was owned by Global Aerials and took off from North Perry Airport, flying south over Biscayne Bay before looping back north and crashing into the water. Preliminary information indicates it was a photography flight, but officials have not said what caused the crash, and it is not yet known whether recent heavy rain in the area was a factor.

It is the second fatal aviation accident in Florida in four days: on November 1, a Learjet 60 business jet crashed in Palm Beach County, killing all nine people on board. The NTSB is still investigating that crash.

November 6 update: pilot identified

The Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office confirmed on November 6 that the pilot killed was Tomas Pendas, 63, a Miami native and the owner-operator of Global Air Group, a Pembroke Pines helicopter tour company specialising in aerial media and photography. The two surviving passengers are recovering. The Pendas family issued a statement the same day asking for privacy and thanking Miami-Dade, the U.S. Coast Guard and NTSB personnel, and a Good Samaritan who tried to help. The helicopter was expected to be removed from the water on Friday, and the NTSB investigation continues. (November 6 update: Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office; NBC Miami; Pendas family statement.)

Late November 6 update: survivors identified

The Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office confirmed late on November 6 that the two survivors are Ryan McCoy, 52, and Ryan Ferraro, 27, and that both have been discharged from hospital. According to information given to the NTSB, the helicopter took off from North Perry Airport at 10:10 a.m. and issued a mayday call at 11:20 a.m. while filming a Poker Run boat event. The NTSB's preliminary report is expected within 15 days; the cause of the crash has not been determined. (Late November 6 update: Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office; NBC Miami; NTSB briefing.)

Photo: file photo of Biscayne Bay and downtown Miami, not a photo of the crash scene.