Key Biscayne

Pilot rescued after helicopter crashes off Key Biscayne’s coast, authorities say

A helicopter crashed off the coast of Key Biscayne after the pilot, the only person aboard, reported engine issues. They were rescued.
A helicopter crashed off the coast of Key Biscayne after the pilot, the only person aboard, reported engine issues. They were rescued. Sheridan Flynn

A helicopter crashed off the coast of Key Biscayne early Saturday afternoon, authorities said. The pilot, the only person aboard, was rescued.

Around 1:50 p.m., the Robinson R-44 helicopter crashed in the waters near Crandon Boulevard, the Federal Aviation Administration said. The pilot, who has not been identified, reported engine issues before the helicopter went down.

They were rescued, suffering “very minor injuries,” and were not taken to a hospital, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue said.

The registered owner of the helicopter is Drax Enterprise LLC, a Miami Beach company, according to FAA records.

Sheridan Flynn posted on X that he saw the helicopter crash.

“Looked like the chopper had been flying low and very close to the water just prior to the crash. Emergency services and civilian watercraft responded extremely quickly,” he wrote.

The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating.

This story was originally published April 6, 2024 at 3:32 PM.

Devoun Cetoute
Miami Herald
Miami Herald Cops and Breaking News Reporter Devoun Cetoute covers a plethora of Florida topics, from breaking news to crime patterns. He was on the breaking news team that won a Pulitzer Prize in 2022. He’s a graduate of the University of Florida, born and raised in Miami-Dade. Theme parks, movies and cars are on his mind in and out of the office.
Get unlimited digital access
#ReadLocal

Try 1 month for $1

CLAIM OFFER