One Dead in Helicopter Crash That Submerged Near Key Biscayne
Federal investigators are examining the wreckage of a Robinson R44 that plunged into Biscayne Bay after taking off from North Perry Airport.
By Grace Sullivan ·
A fatal helicopter crash in Biscayne Bay left one man dead and two others in critical condition, prompting a federal inquiry into the accident that occurred late Wednesday morning. The Robinson R44 aircraft came to rest fully submerged and inverted in the water near Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park. Yellow floaters from the craft remained visible on the surface until recovery crews secured the scene.
Miami-Dade County Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz confirmed the death of one of the three men aboard the aircraft during a press conference on Wednesday afternoon. She described the incident as a very tragic event. According to MDSO officials, a boater attempted to perform CPR on the unresponsive victim before emergency responders arrived. Cordero-Stutz stated that the individual was pronounced deceased on the scene despite those life-saving efforts.
Flight data from FlightAware indicates the helicopter departed from North Perry Airport in Pembroke Pines shortly before the accident. Air traffic control radio transmissions reported that the pilot had already been retrieved from the water when the wreckage was located upside down. The FAA noted that the chartered helicopter was in the process of filming boats on the water at the time of the crash.
The 7Skyforce air rescue unit hovered over the site and captured video of a yellow tarp on a dock, which crews believed contained the body of the victim who did not survive. Ralph Rayburn of 7Skyforce identified the location where the rescue helicopter landed at No Name Harbor in Key Biscayne to transport the two survivors. Paramedics airlifted the patients to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Rider Trauma Center, where they were listed as critical but stable.
As of Thursday morning, the sheriff’s office had not yet released the names of the three individuals involved. Cordero-Stutz said authorities were still notifying loved ones. The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation, with the Federal Aviation Administration providing support. Both agencies are working to determine the specific cause of the crash.
The investigation will examine mechanical, human, and environmental factors to establish a timeline of events. No public identification of the victims has been made pending family notifications.
