Terrifying footage: Helicopter crashes into luxury hotel in California, injuring passersby

Footage from Huntington Beach, California, shows the terrifying moment a helicopter spun out of control and crashed into a luxury beachfront hotel on Saturday.

According to initial reports, the helicopter appeared to have suffered a "tail rotor failure" before falling out of the sky and crashing into the Hyatt Regency hotel, crushing several palm trees outside.

Huntington Beach police said the two people in the helicopter were pulled safely from the wreckage, although their condition remains unknown.

Three pedestrians were also injured, according to authorities. All five individuals were transported to a nearby hospital for treatment, ABC7 reported.

Footage posted on social media shows the helicopter crashing around 2pm, as bystanders watch in shock, crashing just metres from the Pacific Coast Highway.

Daredevil pilot with history of hair-raising stunts identified as owner of helicopter that crashed in California https://t.co/v3YBRb0fkE

— Daily Mail (@DailyMail) October 12, 2025