CatalinaIslandWest
A file photo of Catalina Island.

One person was killed in a helicopter crash on the northwest end of Catalina Island Tuesday morning, according to authorities.

Rescuers began searching for the helicopter after the family of the pilot reported around 9 a.m. that the aircraft hadn’t returned at its scheduled time, U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Mark Barney said.

Around 9:55 a.m., rescuers found the smoldering crash site northwest of Cat Harbor and dispatched paramedics to try to reach the pilot, he said.

About 20 minutes later, the Los Angeles County Fire Department confirmed the fatality. The wreckage was described as a one- or two-seater personal aircraft.

Allen Kenitzer of the Federal Aviation Administration said his agency received an unconfirmed report of “a missing Robinson R44 helicopter that was traveling from Torrance to Avalon” Monday night.

Sheriff’s Sgt. Craig Harman of the Avalon Station said the pilot’s family had reported that the man would often fly the helicopter over the ocean from Torrance. Harman said authorities believe the man was the lone occupant of the helicopter.

The man’s name was withheld, pending notification of his relatives. The cause of the crash was under investigation.

 

Valerie Osier is the Social Media & Newsletter Manager for the Long Beach Post. Reach her at [email protected] or on Twitter @ValerieOsier